The sun?s shining in Cebu
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 12/30/2005

CEBU CITY ? Manila had been dreary this holiday season. The sun hardly showed itself in a constantly gray sky, as my visiting son observed. The weather complemented the already depressing environment as if the "gloom factor" is really here to stay ever since we all heard someone whisper those immortal words, hello? hello? Garci?

Two of my three children are home for the holidays this year. Instead of flying off to Singapore or KL like we did in the past, we decided to stay in the country, even if it was more expensive to do so. We went to Cebu.

To be more precise, we went to Mactan? as in Mactan Shangri-la. No freebies here. We paid full rate for hotel and air fare. It is cheaper to go to a beach resort in Thailand or even Bali but I am glad to help Say Tetangco save on some of those precious foreign exchange to make our international reserves disgustingly healthy.

Who do I see as I stepped on my much delayed Cebu Pacific flight but Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña. His honor was on his way home after spending Christmas with family members in Manila. I told him I was going to Cebu to get out of Manila?s depressing mood for a couple of days and to see the secret of Cebu?s sunny disposition.

The mayor quickly agreed that indeed, the sun?s always shining in Cebu. I took that to mean Cebu?s in a business as usual mood and doing better than Manila and the rest of the country. And it isn?t because Ate Glue is pouring a lot of resources there. Cebu simply has a better image and is getting better attention from investors and tourists, who would otherwise not give the Philippines a second look.

The Mayor and I agreed to meet the day after we arrived in Cebu. He brought with him Joel Mari Yu, who is Managing Director of the Cebu Investment Promotions Center. Joel, a former official of DTI responsible for Region 7, explained that tourism and IT are the two sectors driving growth in Cebu? keeping the sun shining there, so to speak.

What keeps Joel busy these days is the pet project of Mayor Tommy O for the longest time ? the South Reclamation Project. They have just been given land titles to part of the 300-hectare project already reclaimed. They have tested the newly installed desalination plant. They are ready to tap VECO power lines in the next couple of weeks. They are now ready to start selling this PEZA certified zone to qualified investors.

Tommy is optimistic about the project, even if foreign investors looking into Cebu have declined since the Asian financial crisis from 40 or so a year to just four. For one thing, there is no more room at the Mactan EPZ. Locators there who want to expand will have to go to SRP. And there are some such locators.

I met one of them last Tuesday evening, a Taiwanese businessman who is extremely happy about his experience at Mactan for the last seven years. He also thinks Cebu?s investment climate is tops ? even peace and order is better than other places in the region that are getting better reviews. But the first locator at SRP is most likely going to be an international film production company called Big Foot. It almost gave up plans to invest in the country in disgust until Tommy O saved it. But that is another story for another day.
Domestic tourism
As I checked in for my Cebu Pacific flight last Monday, I immediately remembered why I try to avoid being a domestic tourist. The check-in lines of Cebu Pacific were not well managed, which is to say, they were long. The airline should have manned all the counters instead of trying to save a little on labor cost but irritating the customers.

Then I guess, Cebu Pacific management knew it was useless to process the passengers faster because the waiting area of the Manila Domestic Airport was not big enough. As soon as we got to the waiting room, it was wall to wall people? sheer bedlam. Passengers were sitting on the floor. If you found a space to stand on, stay put or someone would take it. There was hardly any place to walk without stepping on fingers and children. I wondered what the foreigners were thinking about our country based on that scene. I was embarrassed for the Strong Republic.

The worse part is, my Cebu Pacific flight was late one hour 45 minutes. I was travelling with my year and half old grandson and you can imagine how difficult it was to entertain him long enough during the excruciating wait. Soon enough he fell down flat on his face that caused his gums to bleed.

This is what I get for believing Bong Mojica, general manager of Cebu Pacific, that his airline is 98 or even 99 percent on time with their new Aribus 320. I guess it was just my luck to fall on the two percent or so of flights that are late. The pilot of my flight tried to explain the delay as unavoidable and not the airline?s fault. All I know is that it ruined my vacation before it started.

According to the pilot, the delay was caused by too much air traffic, causing delays in turnarounds. Either they need Bayani Fernando to organize U-turns up there in the sky or maybe the Manila control tower is inadequately manned and equipped. I can?t believe Manila is busier than New York?s JFK, Chicago?s O?Hare and Los Angeles? LAX. It is just our Third World inadequacies in action.

But I suspect too that Bong has forgotten the basics of keeping customers happy. He should make sure his passengers are adequately taken care of specially if flights are delayed. Better still, Cebu Pacific should use the building they now use as their office as its terminal. PAL used it as its exclusive terminal before they moved to NAIA 2. I recall it had better facilities than the decrepit Manila domestic terminal.

And there?s something wrong with Cebu Pacific?s system of ferrying passengers on one bus from the gate to the plane. I timed it and it takes close to 10 minutes for a turnaround. You can imagine how long it takes to load a fully packed A320! Use more buses of the extended ones used in most civilized airports. I know using just one bus saves money for Mr. John G but unfairly punishes passengers.

Well, Cebu Pacific is wasting the value of their new Airbuses. This is no way to build a name for an airline, specially one trying to challenge the market leader. My first experience with Cebu Pacific since its modernization is simply horrible. But maybe that?s because I had high expectations. I listen to Bong Mojica too much.

^^ Great article rowell! Thanks :okay:

But the first locator at SRP is most likely going to be an international film production company called Big Foot. It almost gave up plans to invest in the country in disgust until Tommy O saved it. But that is another story for another day.
Oh my, this must be referring to the Lapu-Lapu City Gov't officials. :mad: Thank you Mayor Tom!


BigFoot on SRP
Dec. 30, 2005

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña met yesterday the city council to finalize the deal with Bigfoot Entertainment, Inc., and make sure he gets the council's approval of transactions involving the South Road Properties (SRP).

The mayor said the deal with Bigfoot was almost "a done deal" in terms of financial points.

Osmeña said he has guaranteed the investor a good price for being the first to invest in SRP. He said the city government would get a "cash out" for the first three years of Bigfoot's lease of at least 2 hectares in SRP. "I gave them (councilors) a briefing on SRP transactions," Osmeña said.

Earlier, Osmeña announced that Bigfoot's owner, Mike Gleissner, wanted to put up sound stages in SRP. "They will start with one hectare, and if it works, they will get another three hectares. That is a basic, sound business judgement," he said.

The company, he earlier said, was willing to make an initial payment of P250 million to the city government.

Osmeña said the city is offering Bigfoot fifty centavos per square meter of lease at SRP or P100 million per hectare if the company buys out the property.

The mayor said the Bigfoot management wanted to lease, with an option to buy, preferring an area near the Kawit Island because Gleissner also wanted to develop a yacht club.

The area will accommodate two major "sound stages" which are very large movie studios, with plans to build more in ten hectares.

dont you ever sleep resty? hehe

maayong buntag mga bisdak!!!

So final na gyud. I think it's the sound stage 2 in mactan that was being cancelled will be transferred to Cebu.

An Island Within A City
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2005 at 11:57 am by graszya

http://www.ngkhai.net/cebu/wp-images/FernanBridge.jpg

Just when you think a city is business and all that, you?re absolutely wrong?

Lapu-Lapu is all these and more. If you happen to be in the city these days or just escorted a family member to the airport, you?ll notice that Lapu-Lapu is abuzz with activity. People fom all walks of life, islanders or tourists, are seen engaging in animated conversation at the restaurants, busy themselves shopping or dining at the malls, executives and workers taking their lunch at the strip mall, the well-wishers and travellers alike milling around the airport lounges, and the ever hospitable resort attendants serving cocktail drinks to guests lounging by the pool.

You see, every part of Lapu-Lapu either spells a state of relaxation or agitation. But I would like you to get a glimpse of a simple yet unforgettable way to spend some time under the bridge. Yes, you heard it right, under the bridge. What else, but the magnificent Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge. Don?t laugh and discover it yourself.

Whether at dawn, at dusk or after dark, you can?t simply turn your back away without giving a second look at the sheer beauty it possesses. Under it, is a park specially designed to give people comfort from everyday hassles of life. It has cottages and benches for those who want to be pampered with cool sea breeze. Parking lots are also available for everyone?s convenience. Indulge yourself to a drool-inducing ?manggang hilaw? (unripe mango with shrimp paste) to tickle your appetite, a prelude to a much filling meal of puso (the proverbial hanging rice) and barbecue. Or simply enjoy an ice-cold San Migule beer to while away the time. There is a police outpost where barangay tanods and policemen taking turns to keep watch to ensure security and peace for parkgoers. If you want to sweat out and stretch those musles you can do some dribblings, jump shots and dunks at the open-air basketball court. A small playground for young children is also available.

Hey, if you?re waiting for me to feed you all there is to know about this place, then you?re heading for a second quality enjoyment. Why don?t you come and discover it yourself?

But this is just an understatement?So come on, and discover more of the island?s best kept secrets!

paminaw nako wa ni tugtug si resty.

@Rusty: So how will this affect the proposed themepark now if Mr. Gleissner wants to build his soundstages in the area where the themepark will be bulit?

So final na gyud. I think it's the sound stage 2 in mactan that was being cancelled will be transferred to Cebu.

I emailed the lady who works for Bigfoot and i remember well she used the term "EXPANDING" not "MOVING". it is very much possible that IAFTV will still continue the remaining phases of the campus, i'm hoping for the best! But based on the recent articles, Mike Gleissner is very aggressive in putting up facilities similar to those planned in Mactan campus. and boy, the company is willing to shell out P250 million as initial payment for the SRP lot. where in the Philippines can we find a 10-hectare movie studio ey? not only that, Mike is very much interested to develop a yacht club within SRP. Wow! i'm convinced Mr. Gleissner did fall in love with Cebu when he first came. :okay:


Hala, mata na si Rowell_sk.. tulog na ko! hehehe

^hardcore ka nga, mag aalas syete na hoy, :lol:

Island Hopping

http://www.wayblima.com/photos/activities-hilutungan2.jpg

OK, so the beach resorts are great. The gardens are usually immaculately maintained, palm trees provide the shade, neatly uniformed staff bring you drinks with little paper umbrellas, and you can just feel the stress melt away as you relax in your hammock.

http://www.wayblima.com/photos/activities-nalusuan.jpg

But, in all honesty, the resorts' beaches, comprised of white sand trucked in and kept free of trash by the resort crew as they are, nonetheless still leave something to be desired. Often, the beach will be quite short, as the resorts usually put up walls, either to keep their territory free of intruders, or to demarcate their beach from their competitors next door. In addition, there is usually a lot of seaweed, jelly fish, people who wade in at low tide looking for shellfish, and you may be disappointed by the muddy look of the water.

http://www.wayblima.com/photos/activities-hilutungan.jpg

You may find yourself asking: Where are the endless white sand beaches and the crystal clear azure waters I saw in the ads? Where is that aquamarine lagoon I dreamt of, full of tropical fishes and devoid of people? Where is the real paradise?

Never fear. Cebu does have that slice of perfection, that special zone which is as close to heaven as you can get without passing through St Peters gates. Best of all, you don't even need to go very far to find it. Heaven can be found about 20 minutes away, by boat, on one of the numerous tiny islands off the Mactan coast.

Going to these islands is an activity termed "island hopping," and it is something you absolutely must do if you are in Cebu for vacation.

http://www.wayblima.com/photos/activities-islandhopping3.jpg

In World War II, Allied marines would land their amphibian craft on a Pacific Island, take it over, and then sail towards the next one. This military strategy was termed "island hopping." Nowadays, it basically means to rent a boat, go to an island to enjoy the sea and the beach, and come back in the evening.

The boat - a native banca - can be rented via any of the beach resorts, or from one of the numerous operators in Mactan. Beware, though, about the pricing; even though bancas are basically the same - wooden outriggers propelled by diesel engines and equipped with a roof of some sort - the price can vary hugely depending where you book your boat. Many boat operators have agreements with hotel staff to provide kickbacks. So even though a fair charge is about 2000 pesos or $40 per boat, some places (regrettably, a lot of places) will try to charge you $40 per person.

By G8 standards, $40 for a trip to heaven is quite cheap, and a lot of ill-informed tourists pay it. But you are basically being robbed. $40 per person should get you a cruiser with tinted windows, a spinning radar, mahogany panelling, champagne, and satellite TV. Well, maybe not, but you get the point.

Usually, the charge will include food, in the form of a barbecue set to be prepared on the beach, or packed lunches.

The ocean around the islands is as pure as can be, just like in the brochures, only far better. The sand is pure white, and it has been trucked in by none other than Mother Nature herself. Tropical
fishes will nibble at your feet, and the lagoon will be filled with a magic, glowing substance that must be liquid lapis lazuli, for it is far too wondrous to be anything as ordinary as mere water.

Lolling around by the beach is good enough for most, but you could also go snorkeling or scuba diving.

It should be noted that the little atolls have entrance fees, which are usually about 100 pesos per head. This is understandable, even though, technically, the islands are public places and, the Philippines being a free country, you can go anywhere you like. But these little islets are cut off from the civilized world and the islanders have a hard enough time making ends meet even without the tourists, who expect expensive facilities, such as toilets, showers, and electricity to cool their drinks.

Some islands, regrettably, go overboard. Nalusuan Island, for instance, request an entrance fee of 160 per person, and forbid any beverages to be carried in - and sell a can of Coke for more than 10 times the usual price. Still, the idyllic waters of Nalusuan are so perfect that it's rather hard to argue over the price of a Coke.

@Rusty: So how will this affect the proposed themepark now if Mr. Gleissner wants to build his soundstages in the area where the themepark will be bulit?

hmmm... i'm not really familiar with the place. Maybe Marvin here can help us figure out if the area (Kawit Island) is big enough for a 10-hectare (maximum) film studio and a 3-hectare theme park :) He once showed us the SRP masterplan. umm... calling the attention of Marvin da Martian. :D

dont you ever sleep resty? hehe

maayong buntag mga bisdak!!!

hey, i didn't know you're awake too! lol
Good mawnin' people! :p

^hardcore ka nga, mag aalas syete na hoy, :lol:

mas hardcore ka kaya! :lol:

damn, my mom just knocked on the door. breakfast na raw. :bash: Ok, i've been in a situation like this since i got here! :lol: now this is what LIFE is all about ;)

Hey! I've tried this once sometime in 2003. It was 100/ 10 laps at that time. I don't know how much it is now.

KART RACING

http://www.wayblima.com/kartzone2.jpg

Cebu is a great place to race. We have a kart race track conveniently located near Cebu Business Park, called Kartzone. On Sundays and Holidays the parking lot is packed with late-model Mercedes-Benz's, giant American SUV's, and dressed up Hondas, as the wealthy elite of the city assemble to quench their thirst for speed.

Which is strange if you think about it, because you don't actually need to be that wealthy to race at Kartzone. Five laps cost less than US $3. It must be said, though, that Cebuanos take their karting seriously, and most regulars - the owners of the luxury vehicles in the car park - have their own machines, not to mention race suits, crash helmets, mechanics, pit crew, telemetry team, etc. Well, actually, I didn't see a telemetry team, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Kartzone have eight machines for clueless wanderers like yourself. They have a digital timing system, and will - for a modest fee - give you printouts of your laptimes so that you can find out exactly how clueless you are.

http://www.wayblima.com/kartzone3.jpg

Rumor has it that Kartzone is owned by kingpin Peter Lim, who built the 600-meter long track for his speed-mad sons. Maybe that's why the place is managed so well. Be that as it may, the track is a welcome fixture for expats and visitors who, every once and while, get a bit bored with life in the slow lane.

SRP is divided into 3 zones: industrial, business/commercial and tourism.. obviously, the theme park will be developed at the tourism zone while the sounstage at the commercial zone.. standing between the two is kawit which is quite big.. im sure both projects will be far from each other considering the immense size of SRP..

SRP is divided into 3 zones: industrial, business/commercial and tourism.. obviously, the theme park will be developed at the tourism zone while the sounstage at the commercial zone.. standing between the two is kawit which is quite big.. im sure both projects will be far from each other considering the immense size of SRP..

There ya' go! Thanks for clarifying that Marvs :okay: I didn't know the tourism zone isn't the Kawit Island area. So much room for developments indeed! The SRP by the way has a total land area of 295 hectares. :D

SRP is divided into 3 zones: industrial, business/commercial and tourism.. obviously, the theme park will be developed at the tourism zone while the sounstage at the commercial zone.. standing between the two is kawit which is quite big.. im sure both projects will be far from each other considering the immense size of SRP..
OIC. Salamat.

He also thinks Cebu?s investment climate is tops ? even peace and order is better than other places in the region that are getting better reviews.

I like this line of Rowell_sk's article... now you know ;)


gud mawnin to you guys.... specially mga adict... hehe

oh no, slerz' here too! i have to sleep na gyud. nkakahiya gising pa ko. adik na adik ang dating.

oh no, slerz' here too! i have to sleep na gyud. nkakahiya gising pa ko. adik na adik ang dating.

ok ra @Rusty, nana raba kay work next week... so you should make out of it... ;)

pero gi unsa man to nimo og cut dali dali ang mga buildings sa photoshop? limpyo lagi... ako, maybe it will take almost a day.... :bow: me @Resty...

ok ra @Rusty, nana raba kay work next week... so you should make out of it... ;)

pero gi unsa man to nimo og cut dali dali ang mga buildings sa photoshop? limpyo lagi... ako, maybe it will take almost a day.... :bow: me @Resty...

yup slerz.. did it in an hour or two. it takes practice lang. you'll get used to it ;)

yeah, u should come Cebuwow! june or july 2006, i'll do everything to go back here :D ready mo ulet fireworks marv ha! hehehe

@arnold seems not to mind taking photos of cebu anymore :lol: great job :okay:


basin!!! mo-expire na ako passport rong may. ingnon nako ako boss kinanglon mouli kay magfile ug bag-o na passport. para makauban na ko sa gimmick sa kaning gropuha. alkanse na ko ni sayboomyboo...

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6490/img03240bu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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table 7

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laguna garden

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cafe havana

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http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/4757/img03302ro.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

starbucks coffee

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2419/img03313jz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

parklane hotel as of today

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/953/img03335ng.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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ACC entertainment center

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2504/img03366tc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the maze

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ACC's cinema 1


i only managed to take a few pics inside ACC coz i was, for the 2nd time, shooed away by a security guard.. uuhhmmm i look like bin laden daw :bash:

^^ That's why I'm really afraid to take pics in Ayala. Security is so tight. :)

i think they're strict when you're taking pics of their stores na wala kay gipicturan na kauban.. magduda siguro sila.. i always use my course as an excuse.. :D

the biggest grotto "daw" in the country according to a local daily.. location: lourdes parish, punta princesa

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6428/img03405aj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5104/img03378ky.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


to compensate for the few pics of ACC, thanks to their vigilant security guards, i went na lang to our parish and took some pics.. :D

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/6369/img03421ap.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9608/img03437aa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/3379/img03457li.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the adoration chapel of lourdes parish

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8913/img03486mt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/2589/img03473cv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/6594/img03463sl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CEBU CITY Skyline

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8819/sl44zl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/80/sl12bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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how come you cant take pictures inside a mall?

^^The mall operators are afraid that taking pictures might be a security threat or whatsoever. lol. And, they too are hesitant to allow taking pictures inside since the photographers may use it in another way aside from personal use.

i think some shops won't allow customers to take photos for security reasons. :)

how come you cant take pictures inside a mall?

right! only in the philippines!!! those rules are truly inconceivable, very unorthodox! hilarious!

please vindicate that act of stupidity, why?

terrorism? ug ngano?

@sugbuanon, whats that new green thingy beside eastwest? wa pa lagi na pag biya nako.. omg, you made me miss Cebu even more... :(

lemon grass man ang ngalan ato.. bago lng na siya ashton

CEBU CITY Skyline

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/80/sl12bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I like this one!! :D Cebu's skyline is really developing! Maybe in the not so distant future, a skyscraper taller than the mountains would be built. However, imo, the other problems should be fixed first before that. hehe. like giving home to the homeless, improving healthcare and transportation, etc.

CEBU CITY Skyline

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8819/sl44zl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/80/sl12bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7559/sl30uy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
:applause: Dili gyud pud paulahi si Slerz. Daghang salamat kaayo bai kay murag permero pa gyud ko nakakita sa complete skyline sa Cebu.

the least that WE ALL CAN DO for Cebu and for the whole country ;)

boy i wasn't this patriotic since i left Cebu! come to think of it, i never went out of the country! haha :hilarious

@Markiiboi: do u think it's still necessary? we're in group naman so i think ok lang. watchathink? :cool:


... and the more you become patriotic if you are out of the country. when you are outside the philippines, it is where you hear different views, opinions, insults. the most part of it you hear the spellbinding and very inappropriate side of the story. that's when you start to defend your country and you educate those who have false accounts about the true philippines. you become what your country wants of you, a patriot.

filipinos become very law abiding people when they are out of the country. they are always attuned to the fact that there is no one above the law but the law itself. after the sojourn, came the opportunity to step again on the soil he/she saw the world for the first time, the land of birth, the philippines. the once trained from overseas to instill discipline he/she practiced will put back the law under its feet... heheheheheh drama kaayo ko no.

The sun’s shining in Cebu
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 12/30/2005

CEBU CITY — Manila had been dreary this holiday season. The sun hardly showed itself in a constantly gray sky, as my visiting son observed. The weather complemented the already depressing environment as if the "gloom factor" is really here to stay ever since we all heard someone whisper those immortal words, hello… hello… Garci…

Two of my three children are home for the holidays this year. Instead of flying off to Singapore or KL like we did in the past, we decided to stay in the country, even if it was more expensive to do so. We went to Cebu.

To be more precise, we went to Mactan… as in Mactan Shangri-la. No freebies here. We paid full rate for hotel and air fare. It is cheaper to go to a beach resort in Thailand or even Bali but I am glad to help Say Tetangco save on some of those precious foreign exchange to make our international reserves disgustingly healthy.

Who do I see as I stepped on my much delayed Cebu Pacific flight but Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña. His honor was on his way home after spending Christmas with family members in Manila. I told him I was going to Cebu to get out of Manila’s depressing mood for a couple of days and to see the secret of Cebu’s sunny disposition.

The mayor quickly agreed that indeed, the sun’s always shining in Cebu. I took that to mean Cebu’s in a business as usual mood and doing better than Manila and the rest of the country. And it isn’t because Ate Glue is pouring a lot of resources there. Cebu simply has a better image and is getting better attention from investors and tourists, who would otherwise not give the Philippines a second look.

The Mayor and I agreed to meet the day after we arrived in Cebu. He brought with him Joel Mari Yu, who is Managing Director of the Cebu Investment Promotions Center. Joel, a former official of DTI responsible for Region 7, explained that tourism and IT are the two sectors driving growth in Cebu… keeping the sun shining there, so to speak.

What keeps Joel busy these days is the pet project of Mayor Tommy O for the longest time – the South Reclamation Project. They have just been given land titles to part of the 300-hectare project already reclaimed. They have tested the newly installed desalination plant. They are ready to tap VECO power lines in the next couple of weeks. They are now ready to start selling this PEZA certified zone to qualified investors.

Tommy is optimistic about the project, even if foreign investors looking into Cebu have declined since the Asian financial crisis from 40 or so a year to just four. For one thing, there is no more room at the Mactan EPZ. Locators there who want to expand will have to go to SRP. And there are some such locators.

I met one of them last Tuesday evening, a Taiwanese businessman who is extremely happy about his experience at Mactan for the last seven years. He also thinks Cebu’s investment climate is tops – even peace and order is better than other places in the region that are getting better reviews. But the first locator at SRP is most likely going to be an international film production company called Big Foot. It almost gave up plans to invest in the country in disgust until Tommy O saved it. But that is another story for another day.

Mayor Tom meets city
council over SRP investments
Published: 30 December 2005

CEBU CITY Mayor Tomas Osmeña met yesterday the city council to finalize the deal with Bigfoot Entertainment, Inc., and make sure he gets the council's approval of transactions involving the South Road Properties (SRP).

The mayor said the deal with Bigfoot was almost "a done deal" in terms of financial points.

Osmeña said he has guaranteed the investor a good price for being the first to invest in SRP. He said the city government would get a "cash out" for the first three years of Bigfoot's lease of at least 2 hectares in SRP. "I gave them (councilors) a briefing on SRP transactions," Osmeña said.

Earlier, Osmeña announced that Bigfoot's owner, Mike Gleissner, wanted to put up sound stages in SRP. "They will start with one hectare, and if it works, they will get another three hectares. That is a basic, sound business judgement," he said.

The company, he earlier said, was willing to make an initial payment of P250 million to the city government.

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Osmeña said the city is offering Bigfoot fifty centavos per square meter of lease at SRP or P100 million per hectare if the company buys the property.

The mayor said the Bigfoot management wanted to lease, with an option to buy, preferring an area near the Kawit Island because Gleissner also wanted to develop a yacht club.

The area will accommodate two major "sound stages" which are very large movie studios, with plans to build more in ten hectares. Reporter Kathy I. Navarro

Mayor Tom meets city
council over SRP investments
Published: 30 December 2005

CEBU CITY Mayor Tomas Osmeña met yesterday the city council to finalize the deal with Bigfoot Entertainment, Inc., and make sure he gets the council's approval of transactions involving the South Road Properties (SRP).

The mayor said the deal with Bigfoot was almost "a done deal" in terms of financial points.

Osmeña said he has guaranteed the investor a good price for being the first to invest in SRP. He said the city government would get a "cash out" for the first three years of Bigfoot's lease of at least 2 hectares in SRP. "I gave them (councilors) a briefing on SRP transactions," Osmeña said.

Earlier, Osmeña announced that Bigfoot's owner, Mike Gleissner, wanted to put up sound stages in SRP. "They will start with one hectare, and if it works, they will get another three hectares. That is a basic, sound business judgement," he said.

The company, he earlier said, was willing to make an initial payment of P250 million to the city government.

Osmeña said the city is offering Bigfoot fifty centavos per square meter of lease at SRP or P100 million per hectare if the company buys the property.

The mayor said the Bigfoot management wanted to lease, with an option to buy, preferring an area near the Kawit Island because Gleissner also wanted to develop a yacht club.

The area will accommodate two major "sound stages" which are very large movie studios, with plans to build more in ten hectares

SUGBUANON :bow: :bow: sa mga pics
shit ang gaganda, MAN. i cant beleive theyre in Cebu

CEBU CITY Skyline


http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/80/sl12bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7247/sl21pj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


i like these pics.. you could see almost all of cebu's highrises.. salamat slerz :okay:

^^ Maybe someone could photoshop stitch Makati's skyline onto that pic. :D

... and the more you become patriotic if you are out of the country. when you are outside the philippines, it is where you hear different views, opinions, insults. the most part of it you hear the spellbinding and very inappropriate side of the story. that's when you start to defend your country and you educate those who have false accounts about the true philippines. you become what your country wants of you, a patriot.

filipinos become very law abiding people when they are out of the country. they are always attuned to the fact that there is no one above the law but the law itself. after the sojourn, came the opportunity to step again on the soil he/she saw the world for the first time, the land of birth, the philippines. the once trained from overseas to instill discipline he/she practiced will put back the law under its feet... heheheheheh drama kaayo ko no.

amen.. :colgate:


SUGBUANON :bow: :bow: sa mga pics
shit ang gaganda, MAN. i cant beleive theyre in Cebu

ngayon naniniwala ka na tigs.. :D


^^ Maybe someone could photoshop stitch Makati's skyline onto that pic. :D


yeah.. so who knows photoshop here.. :sly:

hehe

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/80/sl12bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


:master: praise you slerz! ka-laagon na kaayo ko sa cebu... nagpanikad na akong mga tiil.

:lurker:

nice pics sugbuanon !! :) !!

lemon grass man ang ngalan ato.. bago lng na siya ashton

wow.. kewl kaau ang design no ?

gud mawnin...
matzlamz ;)... actually we went straight ganiha from Gaisano Mactan then a long walk on the 1st Mand Mactan bridge passing North Rec area, got to take pics of the Cebu Boardwalk rendering all the way to SM to Sto. Niño nya nag kita mi ni Bai Arnoldsa kay pic pic sd siya pariha mi...hehe. then got home @1:00pm then @ 2:00pm back to emall then to Sto. Niño for the last friday of the year mass then after the mass stroll @ Down Town area but mind you, a lot of Koreans roaming around the area (I thought they only in uptown)... went to the fruit market @ the back of Gaisano Metro but mind you again, kato giingon ni sayboomyboo nga mga gwapa sa Vudu makit an ra ig gabii nya ig buntag wala, hehe.. tua ra diay luyo sa Metro nangumprag prutas, nigahi gd maayo akng lawas kay daghan kaayo nabag-id..LoL :jk:... nya after nangumra supermarket sa Gaisano South, mind you again... one of the best supermarkets that I've seen, vvery modern :D. nya pag kahuman sakay jeep nya uli pag abot balay tog, mata karon lang...ahehe

Bitaw, nasunog rba akng nawng... basig inyo ko kataw an ani ig Jan 2... :(

CEBU CITY
December 2005

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/cebu_dec2005_pano.jpg
This image includes the upcoming Club Ultima Tower II
Photos by Slerz

gud mawnin...
matzlamz ;)... actually we went straight ganiha from Gaisano Mactan then a long walk on the 1st Mand Mactan bridge passing North Rec area, got to take pics of the Cebu Boardwalk rendering all the way to SM to Sto. Niño nya nag kita mi ni Bai Arnoldsa kay pic pic sd siya pariha mi...hehe. then got home @1:00pm then @ 2:00pm back to emall then to Sto. Niño for the last friday of the year mass then after the mass stroll @ Down Town area but mind you, a lot of Koreans roaming around the area (I thought they only in uptown)... went to the fruit market @ the back of Gaisano Metro but mind you again, kato giingon ni sayboomyboo nga mga gwapa sa Vudu makit an ra ig gabii nya ig buntag wala, hehe.. tua ra diay luyo sa Metro nangumprag prutas, nigahi gd maayo akng lawas kay daghan kaayo nabag-id..LoL :jk:... nya after nangumra supermarket sa Gaisano South, mind you again... one of the best supermarkets that I've seen, vvery modern :D. nya pag kahuman sakay jeep nya uli pag abot balay tog, mata karon lang...ahehe

Bitaw, nasunog rba akng nawng... basig inyo ko kataw an ani ig Jan 2... :(

whoa, how can we ever repay you slerz! :bow: you walked from Gaisano Mactan to Downtown Cebu?! that's quite a stroll! it's like walking from Robinsons Galleria to Glorietta Makati! or even further. :bash: you did it for SSC?? my my my... cheers! :cheers:

^^Bravo amigo Rusty :applause:

WoW... kewl @Rusty..
imo diay gisumpay @Rusty?
naa koy nasumpay dri apil ang Marco Polo... bati lng pagkasumpay...hehe
ako nya to ipost later...

Bisag unsaon, naay highrise ang Cebu... di nata maawahi :D

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6490/img03240bu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2701/img03259jl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

table 7

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/6025/img03264xy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

laguna garden

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/6787/img03274bo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5984/img03289yg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cafe havana

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2971/img03291lu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/4757/img03302ro.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

starbucks coffee

ang ganda!!! another great shots... parang nasa abroad lol!

@sinjin: Thanks! :D hehe

WoW... kewl @Rusty..
imo diay gisumpay @Rusty?
naa koy nasumpay dri apil ang Marco Polo... bati lng pagkasumpay...hehe
ako nya to ipost later...

Bisag unsaon, naay highrise ang Cebu... di nata maawahi :D

you got the best spot Slerz, sayang nga lang Marco Polo hotel and Citylights Towers were covered by billboards... :no:

whoa, how can we ever repay you slerz! :bow: you walked from Gaisano Mactan to Downtown Cebu?! that's quite a stroll! it's like walking from Robinsons Galleria to Glorietta Makati! or even further. :bash: you did it for SSC?? my my my... cheers! :cheers:

no? layo na diay na kaayo from Gaisano Mactan to Downtown?
I've done it also for myself, it's one of my interests to walk considerable distances to see the latest happenings... nag hike hike mi ganiha with my friend sa tulo ka syudad and no regrets coz it's an adventure in a city... I also want to stroll sa mga mountains but wa lang koy kauban...ahehe

@sinjin: Thanks! :D hehe



you got the best spot Slerz, sayang nga lang Marco Polo hotel and Citylights Towers were covered by billboards... :no:

naa may lain nga wa nakover sa gwapa nga billboard... ako nya ipost unya ;)

diara bai Rusty oh...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/800.jpg
hiwi lng na pagka sumpay nya lahi lahi pa jd color...

^^ nice one slerz!! Complete view of the city.. :okay:

I'll stitch the additional view you got on my version ha. :D

diara bai Rusty oh...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/800.jpg
hiwi lng na pagka sumpay nya lahi lahi pa jd color...
Another Hong Kong in the making :D

hey guys, you should be getting credits for your talents.

hey, to all viewers of this thread (that includes me) how about giving them rewards for the entertainment they shared, they deserved it really! although, it is just voluntary work 'with a touch of artistry', we viewers especially from outside cebu have seen so much in this forum, more than what we read from the news. what do you think?

i know these guys spent time, effort, and even money for all these. a token of appreciation, perhaps. pasalamat gyud ta nila!

I AGREE!!! These guys should be rewarded for their great efforts. Cweobwu, I was thinking maybe we should cheap-in some funds for their next EB

Anywayz, Happy New Year to Everyone!!!

CEBU CITY
December 2005

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/cebu_dec2005_pano2.jpg
This image includes the upcoming Club Ultima Tower II
Photos by Slerz

:okay: Excellent.

[QUOTE=sugbuanon][CENTER]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6490/img03240bu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I really like the design of this building - and it's only a coffeeshop! wow, thanx again, Marvin!

ang ganda!!! another great shots... parang nasa abroad lol!

Rusty, your comments are proof that Cebu has made a lot of progress!

I really like the design of this building - and it's only a coffeeshop! wow, thanx again, Marvin!

True! I like this one too!
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/6025/img03264xy.jpg
Laguna Garden Cafe
The owner started it when she put up a little cafe in a quiet corner in Lahug, Cebu City. By the way, they serve puto bumbong all year round. :D

^^Wow I miss puto bumbong (the one with coconut?). Is Lahug central or suburban? My sister is going to Cebu next week so I asked her to take as many pics as poss !

^^ puto bumbong, the purple sugary (glutinous) rice :lol:

Lahug is part of Cebu City, not considered a suburban :D Your sister is coming here? Nice! Will she be able to stay til the Sinulog Festival? it's on the 15th i think :) she shouldn't miss it! unfortunately i'm goin' back to Manila a few days from now :(

oh yes, of course, hehe its the sticky puto
My sister is only staying in Cebu till the 12th coz she has to fly back to Manila for my cousin's wedding. Sayang...perhaps she could take pics of the preparations or run-up to the festival. She's staying at the Shangrila Mactan, lucky thing. I'm jealous now hehe.

Region VII meets growth goals amid crisis
Dec. 30, 2005

Political turmoil, peace and order problems and natural catastrophes failed to dampen the eco-nomy in Central Visayas, according to a year-end report by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The CCCI identified tourism, export and services as major growth drivers in the region for the year.

The chamber said despite peace and other problems, destabilization and natural catastrophes the region was able to realize the growth forecasts in international arrivals this year.

The region’s tourist arrival almost reached the 2.7-million target for 2005.

Big bang

The Central Visayas tourism industry started with a big bang this year after the tsunami that hit some parts of Asia, including Phuket, Thailand — Cebu’s closest competitor in the international tourism market.

In January, resorts and hotels in Cebu began receiving more inquiries for room accommodations from Japan and Korea. Most of these tourists were initially bound for Phuket.

The influx of international tourists, however, underscored Cebu’s shortage of hotel and resort rooms. This has prompted Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano to talk with prospective hotel and resort investors and owners of defunct hotels in Cebu.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) facilitated the partnership between Cebu Plaza Hotel owner Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) and international hotel management company Marco Polo Hotel group. Durano had also talked with the Philippine National Bank (PNB), the owner of the foreclosed Coral Reef Hotel, to encourage the reopening of the resort.

Aside from Marco Polo Plaza, two more hotels - Parklane International Hotel and Crown Regency Hotel — are scheduled to open early next year.

Hilton Resort and Spa finally opened in October after six years of construction.

Increase

According to CCCI tourism committee member Mila Espina, Cebu’s hotel and resort room capacity would increase to 30,000 from 12,000 this year.

With regard to export, CCCI said overall export performance during the first three quarters of the year was flat. But export of garments, processed foods and other industrial goods registered double-digit growths.

Problems such as the giant African snail (GAS) affected the performance of some exporting industries, such as carrageenan processing, furniture and food processing.

Philippine Export Confederation-Cebu executive director Fred Escalona said the inclusion of Cebu in Australia’s GAS-infested areas has resulted in a 40 percent decline in the volume of direct exports to Australia.

BPO firms

In the services sector, many business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as medical transcription, call centers, accounting and animation have expanded to Cebu, taking advantage of the large pool of English-speaking labor force in the region.

According to CCCI, average inflation rate for all items in the region for January to October 2005 period stood at 6.5 percent, 1.3 percentage points lower than that of the Philippines for the same period.

Employment indicators also showed a slightly better picture. National Statistics Office survey data showed an increase in employment in the region.

^^ the hotel room figure is confusing. it says Cebu has currently 12,000 hotel rooms and will expand to 30,000 next year! But previous articles mentioned Cebu only has around 7,000++ rooms. :dunno:

^^Maybe such things as "pension houses" and motels were excluded in one of the lists.

oh yes, of course, hehe its the sticky puto
My sister is only staying in Cebu till the 12th coz she has to fly back to Manila for my cousin's wedding. Sayang...perhaps she could take pics of the preparations or run-up to the festival. She's staying at the Shangrila Mactan, lucky thing. I'm jealous now hehe.

Sayang. What's the purpose of her trip to enter Cebu Republic? Business or pleasure? :lol: i'm sure she'll enjoy her stay at Shangri-La :okay: yeah you should be jealous haha..

happy new year everyone !!!

Sayang. What's the purpose of her trip to enter Cebu Republic? Business or pleasure? :lol: i'm sure she'll enjoy her stay at Shangri-La :okay: yeah you should be jealous haha..

Pure pleasure!!! Also for her b-day next week....argggh! :bash: It's because her bf is rich hehe
Nevermind...as a condition for marrying her, our whole family will have a permanent suite at Shangrila hahaha

Happy New Year pud diha PMarl! :okay: :cheers:

Pure pleasure!!! Also for her b-day next week....argggh! :bash: It's because her bf is rich hehe
Nevermind...as a condition for marrying her, our whole family will have a permanent suite at Shangrila hahaha

aw, good for her! yeah, your demand is reasonable enough! its gonna be hell of a "Suite Life"! :lol: haha.. when you live there na don't forget to invite me aight! :cool:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/MarkiiBoi/DSC02980.jpg
Photo by Markiiboi

Club Ultima sets partial opening
Over 50 rooms to help address accommodation shortage during Sinulog festival
Dec. 30, 2005


Amid the bright opportunities in the travel industry, a condominium hotel (condotel) will make available early next year some of its units.

Club Ultima chief operating officer Karl C. Velhagen said they plan to open 54 rooms in January 2006, in time for the Sinulog celebration.

The 23-storey condotel is pushing through with its planned soft opening in April 2006 but will partially open to the public its 11th, 12th, 14th and 19th floor to alleviate the projected shortage of hotel rooms, especially during the Sinulog festivities in January 2006.

However, the hotel is still looking for employees to complete the staffing required for the opening of the 54 rooms.

Velhegan said the company needs about 50 to 70 personnel to fill in the job vacancies.

"We're here to provide jobs to the community and this is our contribution to Cebu's economy," he said.

The club trains the recruites in order to deliver the best services using state-of-the-art facilities of the company, he said.

Club Ultima has recruited about 500 construction workers to fast-track the completion of the building, Velhagen said.

"We are so conscious about our timetable, we want to show to the members who want to see something tangible in the hope of readying the whole facilities by April," he said.

Strategically located in the vicinity of Fuente Osmeña Oval, Club Ultima will soon be matched by the 40-storey Crown Regency Hotel and a commercial-residential tower.

According to Velhagen, some of the Club Ultima units have already been reserved for Sinulog. The other guests would be billeted at their affiliate Crown Regency Suites in Mactan.

According to him, the first three months of the club will also be open to non-members at affordable room rates of P3,000 which is already inclusive of buffet breakfast.

Club Ultima sells membership shares, not proprietary shares, at affordable rates.

Its facilities include food and beverage outlets as well as health, beauty and wellness services. The 54-guest rooms are comprise of two or three bedrooms and kitchens.

The first to the 10th floors will be made available for the commercial leases. A drawbridge would connect the Club Ultima tower to the Crown Regency Hotel. The building, he said is a vision of the owners J. King and Sons that is now becoming a reality.

cheers for the upcoming new year 2006 !! wish cebu the best and all the succes so do all of u guys here !! keep doing the good work guys !!


rusty nice pics naa dyud ka natural talent bai ;) keep that up !!

cheers for the upcoming new year 2006 !! wish cebu the best and all the succes so do all of u guys here !! keep doing the good work guys !!


rusty nice pics naa dyud ka natural talent bai ;) keep that up !!

Thanks Pmarl :D most of the time ma surprise pud ko sa outcome. hehe. pero the credits of those amazing shots should also go to our fellow forumers here. you know who u are guys, thank you for the unrelenting efforts in showing everyone of what's goin on in Cebu. more to come this brand new year! God bless Cebu, God bless Philippines! Let's drink! :drunk:

CEBU CITY
December 2005

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/cebu_dec2005_pano2.jpg
This image includes the upcoming Club Ultima Tower II
Photos by Slerz

WoW... my Cebu is beautiful from afar...
thanks @Rusty :okay:

What I really like about Cebu's setting is the mountains as the back that serves as backdrop of th Cebu's skyline... mura ba'g stage nya ang mga buildings ang mga performers...hehe

bisag unsaon, Sugbo lang gihapon ;)

good morning mga addict..

@slerz: Thank u... Beautiful indeed! Perfect timing alay lakad mo slerz, nagcooperate ang weather :okay:

Oops, naabtan napud ko ani nila. Tulog na ko ani? hehehe..

FILM, TV ACADEMY GIVEN PERKS
Manila Bulletin Dec. 30, 2005

The International Academy for Film & Television Inc. was granted non-pioneer incentives by the Board of Investments for its ICT support services project at a total cost of P62.462 million. The company would offer courses on 2D animation, 3D Animation, digital editing, web designing, adobe photoshop CS, compositing with after effects-adobe 6.0, and audio production. The project would be funded through equity of P30 million and loan of P32.462 million.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Guv to push Cebu-Negros-Panay bridge
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan



WITH only several days remaining before 2006, Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Maranon hopes for the realization of a long overdue plan to construct the Cebu, Negros and Panay bridges.

The governor believes that constructing the bridges to connect the three islands is very feasible.

"This is possible," Marañon said adding that what we need is focus.

In an earlier interview, he said that linking Cebu, Negros and Panay will definitely boost commerce, economic stability, trade, tourism and investment.

He believes that each of the islands will benefit 100 percent from the project.

Based on the plan, the proposed linkage will pass through the Tañon Strait and at the south most portion of Cebu to Dumaguete City in the Oriental side.

For the Occidental portion of the project, the proposed bridge is to be constructed in Pulupandan town and going to Guimaras Island and on to Iloilo.

Aside from the Cebu-Negros-Panay bridge, Marañon is also bent on pursuing the setting up of an Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice).

This will give more access for the Negros farmers to a more scientific and modern way of rice farming in the province.

Before the year ended, Marañon bared all his accomplishments for this year.
Accomplishments

On top of the list was the clearing of the Capitol's prime property at the back of the Old Capitol building for possible transformation to a commercial/business complex to raise revenues to finance projects and infrastructures in the countryside.

Marañon's administration has also been instrumental in the increase of rice sufficiency to 86.94 percent; corn by 15 percent and vegetable, 11 percent.

Fourteen irrigation projects were also completed and supplemented an area of 1,200 hectares. Livestock is expected to become the province' second major industry.

The governor was also happy for the success of the establishment of Negros Occidental Milk Processing Plant where 30 percent went to commercial market such as McCafe coffee creamer at Mc Donald's and 70 percent for the milk feeding program of the province.

Furthermore, Marañon is also proud in reporting that the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation Inc. was made operational in collaboration with the province of Oriental Negros primarily for organic products for the local and export markets.

Also for this year, the province was able to complete the construction of 11 Day Care centers and the Negros Occidental Development Center for Women and Children at Minoyan, Murcia.

Around 40 teachers in the province, from the elementary and secondary levels were given training on Conversation English Proficiency.

The upgrading of the Kabankalan District Hospital and Cadiz District Hospital was made, while a new hospital is being constructed in Silay with middle of next year as the target date of completion.

The province also opened the school of nursing in collaboration with the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology. Some 150 pioneering students have enrolled in both nursing and health aide courses.

In tourism, the province through its Mambukal Resort earned P16.1 million as of December 18, 2005.

The Negros Silk Center in Bago City and in collaboration with OISCA International (for the production of silk products for domestic and foreign markets) also added to the list of Marañon achievements.

And with the assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines, the province also established a Cooperative Livelihood Assistance Program of Negros Occidental (CLAP-ON) with a trust fund amounting to about P40 million.

@Mike... here's my latest pic of the Sto. Niño Church, ipuno nya to sa imo thread.
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=6832103#post6832103

hapit na sinulug!

The fluvial parade

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-arrive.jpg

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-armada.jpg

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-fernan.jpg

Strategically located in the vicinity of Fuente Osmeña Oval, Club Ultima will soon be matched by the 40-storey Crown Regency Hotel and a commercial-residential tower.

Wow so 40-storeys na diay..! I think mao ni siya ang actual number of floors.. Just like the Parklane Hotel, when it was first advertised last year, 14-storeys ang gi indicate.. But now, it's actually 18, 19 storeys tall...

It's also nice to know that they're going to have a soft opening...!

Rusty pasulod nya ha? Maybe you can provide a "wash and rest" room for the forumers during the Sinulog.....hehehe

[QUOTE=sugbuanon][CENTER]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6490/img03240bu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I really like the design of this building - and it's only a coffeeshop! wow, thanx again, Marvin!

Yup actually this was once a fine dining restaurant but they closed down.

^^Table 7 closed down? How early.

@sugbuanon

nice pics bai..!

@arnold seems not to mind taking photos of cebu anymore :lol: great job :okay:

That's because humana ang Board Exam resty.... hehehehehehehehehe

MADE IN CEBU (Mepz in Mactan and Mitsumi in Danao):


1.) Your TIMEX watch
2.) Your PENTAX digital camera
3.) Your OLYMPUS digital camera
4.) Your TAMIYA hobby toys
5.) Some of your Floppy drives, CD-ROMS, etc..


Unsa pay lain??.... I always get amnesia... :)

^^Table 7 closed down? How early.

Nope sinjin, I meant the former fine dining restaurant.. I think Marco Polo Restaurant tu....They closed down kay murag lugi.. ang Table 7, et al took over.. :)

Wow so 40-storeys na diay..! I think mao ni siya ang actual number of floors.. Just like the Parklane Hotel, when it was first advertised last year, 14-storeys ang gi indicate.. But now, it's actually 18, 19 storeys tall...

It's also nice to know that they're going to have a soft opening...!

Rusty pasulod nya ha? Maybe you can provide a "wash and rest" room for the forumers during the Sinulog.....hehehe

so its official na bai arbold.. tower II will be 40-storey tall.. whew!!!

Basa mo ani.

http://www.jacobsmeyer.com/The_Search_for_Lapu_Lapu.htm

[QUOTE=drfeelgood17]

Yup actually this was once a fine dining restaurant but they closed down.


nagsara? it was partly owned by chad borja. they had good food there... mao ba?! ang taas wala pay tenant? malason lagi nang lugara.

so its official na bai arbold.. tower II will be 40-storey tall.. whew!!!


Maayo untag daghang construction above 40s will follow suit. And it would be nice if anha sa Cebu Business Park.

Club Ultima sets partial opening
Over 50 rooms to help address accommodation shortage during Sinulog festival
Dec. 30, 2005

agen said.

"We are so conscious about our timetable, we want to show to the members who want to see something tangible in the hope of readying the whole facilities by April," he said.
[/I][/B]


haay SALAMAT mag-open na gyud tawn. conscious daw sa timetable?!! pero sige na lang at least sure na gyud!!!

rusty, nakasuway na mo didto sa crown regency mactan?

^Wow! I wish I could watch Sinulog! It must be exhilirating to watch the BEST AND GRANDEST FESTIVAL IN ASIA!!!

Comment ko lang pud co adtuk unat badung tindak anaki pasulod nya tai.(inimbento ko lang yun!!) Please wala akong maintindihang Bisaya, why not type in Tagalog or English?:)

@otakaw sorry otakaw.. we have new cebuano (5 siguro) forumers here and i think they'tr still not aware of the english/tagalog policy.. thanx for the reminder bai!!!

guilty din ako coz i kept posting in bisaya since these new cebuano forumers joined SSC.. :D

@mga sugbuanons mag-english lang ta ky naa man sad gud dili mga bisaya na mobasa sa ato mga posts.. pwede siguro bisaya pero sa mga side comments lang siguro.. hehe

salamat

^^ Correct! That's what I've been trying to say before but I was even criticized by someone for being to strict and hostile. lol

I guess there's nothing wrong with speaking in Bisaya for as long as translations are provided. lol.

@Marvs... :okay::okay:
don't be afraid sa mga guards as long as you're not doing something against the rules... Kung tawgon ka then we have the explanation... all of us can take pictures of any establishment here in Cebu as long as there are no restrictions or signs discouraging us to take pics... Ayala Center is a public place so we can anytime... I like the way you are @sugbuanon, you're not just proud but very proud to be a sugbuanon. It's a good recipe for a delicious salad...LoL. Yup, honestly... I haven't met a sugbuanon like you before... :okay:

_ _ _ _ _ _
I just wanna share the pics that I took gahapon during our more or less 10kilmeter hike from Gaisano Mactan to Santo Niño Church...hehe. layo layo pero mura rag duol... :D

San Miguel Brewery @mandaue City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SMB.jpg

Our sidetrip from Gaisano Mactan...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/GaisanoMactan.jpg

then on the 1st Mandaue Mactan Bridge...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/upMMB.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/welcomeMandct.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/upMMB2.jpg

took pics of Cebu City and mandaue City...
Cebu Harbor
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CebuHarbour2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CebuHarbour.jpg

Mactan Channel
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MactanChannel.jpg

Mandau City with MP and Citylights
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MandctandMP.jpg

Mandaue City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Mandct.jpg

Cebu City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SL7.jpg

Marcelo Fernan Bridge
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/2ndMMB.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/ndMMB.jpg

Badjao
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Badjao.jpg

Going Down... Mandaue side
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/UC2.jpg

UCLM
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/UC1.jpg

Nya sa North Rec

Mandaue Sports & Cultural Center
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MandSCC.jpg

North Rec road...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NorthRec.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NReccurve.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecsungold.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecwarehouse.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecwthsheraton.jpg

Natasha u/c
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Natasha.jpg
SM City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SM.jpg

then to Sto. Niño Church
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7096/9design2wd.jpg

oldest 14 storey highrise hotel in Cebu City...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Luym.jpg

Colon Street
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7885/colon8eg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

enjoy the journey ;)

^^ The roads are newer, wider and are less empty. Nice shotz

^^Slerz, what can you say about Gaisano Mactan?!? :D Diba their 4th floor is very different from the lower floors?

yup, looks like SM's home or kitchen section of their Dep't Store... Twas my second time there... is that the only expansion of the GM? I thought a mall gyud sa 4th floor... But for me, Gaisano Fiesta mall still looks modern and organized than Gaisano Mactan... Sana they will have a major renovation of the mall and the department store... ;)

@slerz

Kudos to you..! You really walked from Mactan to Downtown? The longest attempt that I made was from CNU to Guadalupe Church (around 6 kilometers I guess), but that was nighttime so dili init..



[QUOTE=arnoldsa]


nagsara? it was partly owned by chad borja. they had good food there... mao ba?! ang taas wala pay tenant? malason lagi nang lugara.

Yup that Marco Polo Restaurant.. No new tenants sa second floor.. Below is Table 7 and Cafe Havana..

Double post

@slerz

Kudos to you..! You really walked from Mactan to Downtown? The longest attempt that I made was from CNU to Guadalupe Church (around 6 kilometers I guess), but that was nighttime so dili init..





yup, diba I told you pag kita nato sa Sto. Niño that we strolled with a motorbike? actaully lakaw jd no motorbike (kay basig kataw an nya ko nimo...hehe.) from Gaisano Mactan upto SM then my friend surrendered and went home then I continued my walking journey from SM to Sto. Niño. then from Sto. Niño upto Gaisano South... didto nako sakay jeep...hehe. Right now, I'm like a roasted pig...hehe. I think it's more than 10 kilometers from Gaisano Mactan to downtown ;)

my last longest journey was from JY square to plaza Independencia passing from escario, Osmeña blvd to downtown upto Plaza Independencia... ;)

well done slerz...great pics.. i'm ashamed because i'm from lapu-lapu and i contributed just a little.

nice pics u guys !! u guys rule !! u deserve the key of the city :) let mayor osmesya hand it over to u !! :)

so its official na bai arnold.. tower II will be 40-storey tall.. whew!!!
It could go higher :dunno: J King is even interested to build two more towers on that area. i like their aggressiveness! ;)

haay SALAMAT mag-open na gyud tawn. conscious daw sa timetable?!! pero sige na lang at least sure na gyud!!!

rusty, nakasuway na mo didto sa crown regency mactan?
we were'nt still able to avail our two complimentary night stay but my family was able to visit the place... have u seen the princeville photos princeville? the villas are just lovely :D

^^ the hotel room figure is confusing. it says Cebu has currently 12,000 hotel rooms and will expand to 30,000 next year! But previous articles mentioned Cebu only has around 7,000++ rooms. :dunno:

definately NOT from whatever 7000 - 12000 to 30000 within one year ! this is the goal for 2010. so 4 more years to go to hit 30000 hotel rooms.

how can they build two more towers there ?? i think there complex is so tight already there is no more room for it ??

how can they build two more towers there ?? i think there complex is so tight already there is no more room for it ??

arnold is thinking maybe J King will build a tower on top of the EMSU bldg (the one with round windows) :dunno: Crown Regency's view will be blocked in that case. i hope they'll build somewhere else but still along Osmeña Blvd. :)

hapit na sinulug!

The fluvial parade

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-arrive.jpg

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-armada.jpg

http://www.wayblima.com/g-si05-fluvial-fernan.jpg
^^Yeah, http://www.wayblima.com/cebu-society.html#class is definitely a must read for all Pinoys especially that article about Cebu/Philippine society because it is so funny, sad and true.

@Marvs... :okay::okay:
don't be afraid sa mga guards as long as you're not doing something against the rules... Kung tawgon ka then we have the explanation... all of us can take pictures of any establishment here in Cebu as long as there are no restrictions or signs discouraging us to take pics... Ayala Center is a public place so we can anytime... I like the way you are @sugbuanon, you're not just proud but very proud to be a sugbuanon. It's a good recipe for a delicious salad...LoL. Yup, honestly... I haven't met a sugbuanon like you before... :okay:

_ _ _ _ _ _
I just wanna share the pics that I took gahapon during our more or less 10kilmeter hike from Gaisano Mactan to Santo Niño Church...hehe. layo layo pero mura rag duol... :D

San Miguel Brewery @mandaue City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SMB.jpg

Our sidetrip from Gaisano Mactan...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/GaisanoMactan.jpg

then on the 1st Mandaue Mactan Bridge...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/upMMB.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/welcomeMandct.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/upMMB2.jpg

took pics of Cebu City and mandaue City...
Cebu Harbor
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CebuHarbour2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CebuHarbour.jpg

Mactan Channel
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MactanChannel.jpg

Mandau City with MP and Citylights
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MandctandMP.jpg

Mandaue City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Mandct.jpg

Cebu City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SL7.jpg

Marcelo Fernan Bridge
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/2ndMMB.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/ndMMB.jpg

Badjao
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Badjao.jpg

Going Down... Mandaue side
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/UC2.jpg

UCLM
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/UC1.jpg

Nya sa North Rec

Mandaue Sports & Cultural Center
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/MandSCC.jpg

North Rec road...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NorthRec.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NReccurve.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecsungold.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecwarehouse.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/NRecwthsheraton.jpg

Natasha u/c
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Natasha.jpg
SM City
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/SM.jpg

then to Sto. Niño Church
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7096/9design2wd.jpg

oldest 14 storey highrise hotel in Cebu City...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Luym.jpg

Colon Street
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7885/colon8eg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

enjoy the journey ;)
:okay: :okay: Daghang pasalamat sa mga pics bai Slerz kay ako diri lingkod ingkod ug tan-aw tan-aw ra samtang ikaw hastang layu-a diay gilakaw. Mahal gyud nimo kaayo ang Cebu or SSC ra kaha na? :)

Mahal mo lang... I LOVE CEBU AS MUCH AS I LOVE SSC... I Can survive without SSC but I can't survive without my Cebu... I've done this many times infact my favourite destination is from Capitol to Sto. Niño Church...

_ _ _ _
I thought 15 mins ra ang buto buto coz most of the people here havo no money but upto now not only fire crackers but those beautiful fireworks (that costs thousands of pesoseses) anywhere, can't watch them 1 at a time...

HAPPY NEW YEAR diay to all CEBU FORUMERS

Yehey... sa dami ng fireworks at paputok, walang naputokan sa Lapu Lapu City...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

^^ Btaw, grabe ang fireworks and firecrackers!

Construction of Mabolo flyover begins this year



A third flyover will be built in Cebu City this year, barring any hitches in government?s plans and funding.

This will be at the junction of F. Cabahug St. and Juan Luna St. (the old San Jose de la Montaña) connecting to the Ayala access road, according to its proponent, Rep. Raul del Mar.

Del Mar said the third of his proposed network of six flyovers will cost about the same as the approved budget for the second flyover, which he pegged at a little over P70 million.

An initial budget for the facility was approved, and the National Government?s 2006 annual budget will cover the rest of it. Del Mar hopes the Department of Public Works and Highways will start the bidding early this year.

The network of flyovers will spare Cebuanos from the traffic gridlocks now suffered daily by Metro Manila residents, del Mar said.

Widening roads and creating more access roads are solutions that have already been milked dry, he added.

The first of the network was built at Juan Luna and Archbishop Reyes Aves. in 2001. The second was completed in 2003, at the Escario St. and Archbishop Ave. intersection.

The fourth and fifth flyovers will be located at Archbishop Ave. and Escario St. and M.J. Cuenco Ave. (Mabolo corner) and Juan Luna Ave., respectively. (GAC)

I took this pics yesterday afternoon when I noticed the bumper to bumper traffic (actually this heavy traffic happens every afternoon) from the lane going to the Mactan beaches and a lot of koreans passing by.

Road going to Shangri-la that was partly hidden
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0198.jpg

from MEPZ I and Cebu City.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0197.jpg

Koreans inside a bus. They're just one of the so many koreans who passed by everyday.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0200.jpg

Our sidetrip from Gaisano Mactan...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/GaisanoMactan.jpg
oldest 14 storey highrise hotel in Cebu City...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/Luym.jpg

:applause:

^ ^ ^

Wow! more flyovers to go..! expect temporary traffic when going to SM..

ummm... wala diay holiday sa SSC... maski new year log in gihapon, well HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL...!!!

BTW, what intersection bai arnold?

Holiday gud tawn... bisag masunog pang panit, SSC lang gihapon...hehe

Maayong Buntag, Kadlawn Bag ong tuig mga bai ;)

I took this pics yesterday afternoon when I noticed the bumper to bumper traffic (actually this heavy traffic happens every afternoon) from the lane going to the Mactan beaches and a lot of koreans passing by.

Road going to Shangri-la that was partly hidden
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0198.jpg

from MEPZ I and Cebu City.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0197.jpg

Koreans inside a bus. They're just one of the so many koreans who passed by everyday.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/rowell_sk/DSCF0200.jpg

Nice! wow, never thought the road going to Mactan can be a bottleneck at times. Very true, tour buses are all over the island! so many kimchis! lol

^ ^ ^

Wow! more flyovers to go..! expect temporary traffic when going to SM..


Really Nold? where in particular? do u have the details? Happy New Year!!

It would really cause heavy traffic and could take you more time if you're from Ayala and you want to go to SM.

@rusty18, slerz

rowell_sk posted that article sa page 8... The third of the six flyovers will be constructed this year at the junction of Juan Luna Ave. (Mabolo, going to SM City) and F. Cabahug (Ayala Access Road, going to Keppel Building)..

I think the fourth will be at the junction of General Maxilom and Gorordo (The one in CIC and Steves KTV)...

Another one daw will also be constructed at the junction of MJ Cuenco and Juan Luna Streets (Mabolo Church)...

It would really cause heavy traffic and could take you more time if you're from Ayala and you want to go to SM.
From Ayala i think the choke point is the intersection at the boulevard in Mabolo. i bet the traffic condition on that area is worsening by now. :no:

the gov't should seriously consider widening of roads asap. btw, the ASEAN summit mentioned about road widening in some parts of the city. any updates regarding this? i wonder which roads..

Happy New Year to all the Sugbuanons!!!

happy new year guys.. post muna before matulog:D

@steve happy new year mr bicol..

CEBU CITY
December 2005

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/cebu_dec2005_pano2.jpg
This image includes the upcoming Club Ultima Tower II
Photos by Slerz

Very nice. Cebu is going upwards!
My new year's wish for cebu is: more highrises, tall buildings, skyscrapers, gigantic structures, grand edifices. Oh, before I forget, a magnificent skyline. Ha, ha. Happy New year everyone.

wow Mr Cebu - nakapost ka pa??! No hangover? wow impressed talaga ako hehe

Has anyone been to Argao or Carcar? I asked my grandmother where her parents were from and she said those places.

I did search online and found these photos:

San Miguel Archangel Parish

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/saint%20michael%20archangel.jpg

Painted Ceiling

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/painted%20ceiling.jpg

Pipe Organ

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/pipe%20organ.jpg

Casa Real

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/Casa%20Real.png

Quartel Bldg.

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/quartel%20building.png

Argao Museum

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/museum.jpg

Puerta Real

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/argao-cebu/images/stories/puerta-real.jpg

---

beautiful sites in Carcar ...

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c2.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/St.%20Catherine%20of%20Alexandria.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c3.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c1.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c15.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c19.jpg
http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/carcar-cebu/image/c17.jpg

^^ Maayong Tuig sa Tanan! :)

maayong bag ung tuig ninyo mga bai !! :)

just got home.. haha hangover wala LBM siguro steve meron.. :D

Happy New Year! I'm gaining too much weight! lechon everyday OK! :okay:

@Animo: Argao is a couple of hours drive from the city. many well-preserved century old houses, haven't toured the whole town. passed by lang.

Carcar looks great btw, I love that photo of the colonial style hospital - very nice!

just got home.. haha hangover wala LBM siguro steve meron.. :D

Fireworks in you stomach too hahaha

Happy Morning to everyone... the glimpse of the new morning, the new beginning for Cebu and the Philippines.

Carcar is the hometown of Miss Sheryn Regis...
Argao is the hometown of the recently retired Chief Justice Helario Davide...

Happy New Year everyone for the last time ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=gPcJWtUipwY

edit.

2006: Cebu on stage
Gov't, hotels prepare for ASEAN meet
Published: 1 January 2006

by Irene Sino Cruz and Dale G. Israel

MEETINGS start in January to prepare Cebu for its biggest global exposure in 2006 - the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in December.

The 17-country event requires mammoth organizing, spruced up hotels, and hand-in-glove collaboration of the private sector and government.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she will sit down with the architect and prospective contractors this month to discuss a "workable schedule" that ensures a "world-class" convention site will be completed by November.

Plans for a P250-million Megadome sports arena in Mandaue City have been revised to make it an international convention center that may cost up to three times more.

While critics question the need to build a grand government edifice that may end up used only once, Garcia said she is relying on attracting private investors to operate the center beyond December and keep it "sustainable" under a "reimburse-operate-transfer" scheme.

Suites

Patria Aurora Roa, regional director of the Department of Tourism, said Cebu's 50,000 hotel rooms are not enough for the expected arrivals.

She predicted that several establishments would have to turn down tourists because the government would be blocking off rooms for summit requirements.

Two new hotels are opening this year -- Marco Polo Plaza and Cebu Parklane International Hotel -- but the demands would still outpace supply, she said.

For example, four floors of the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resorts have already been booked by the Sultan of Brunei, she said.

Shangri-La, Cebu Hilton Hotel and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino have been asked to provide presidential suites for the 17 heads of state, said Robert Go, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"We don't have enough rooms as of now that are fit for a head of state like the President of the United States," Go said.

A hotelier told Cebu Daily News there were only seven presidential suites available in Cebu's luxury hotels. This means other hotels would have to start renovating their rooms.

Even before the summit takes place, Cebu is expected to benefit from a P1 billion budget promised by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for infrastructure improvements such as the widening and paving of roads.

"Many investments from the national government would be coming in since Cebu would be a showcase," said Go.

A total of 54 of the 75 pre-summit meetings will be held in Cebu starting July . This will involve various levels of government officials and agenda - parliamentarians, the foreign ministers, trade and industry meetings and other bilateral talks.

"There will be 54 meetings. You can just imagine how full hotels will be" said Go.

"Tourism arrivals would surely reach 2.7 million, it could even be over than the targeted 3 million tourists to arrive here."

Limousines

Special transportation would also be needed.

Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, who heads the summit organizing committee, said the private sector would have a role especially in the acquisition of vehicles.

He said the government is thinking of offering as an incentive the tax-free importation of luxury vehicles and limousines to be used for the heads of states and senior officials.

While hotels, resorts, restaurants and the tourism industry would directly benefit from the summit, business opportunities are also expected to flow down to suppliers, farmers who are sources of food requirements, and the retail trade.

Delegates and their staff, and families will be taking side trips and find time to go shopping.

With reports by Correspondents Regina Aguilar and Edith Rollan-Cole. cebu daily news.

^^ i think thats the biggest event the philippines will be hosting in 2006.

yeah! pero taka lang ako, swu dba ur from durianburg, is the ATF to be held in dvo part of the 75 meetings? tsaka matagal nang balita yung pag hohost ng davao, pero with cebu, bakit parang deliberate ata yung decision? and to think 54 of the 75 meetings will be in cebu, its a good news pero parang binagsakan ng bomba ang cebu sa mga events na yan, next time proper warning naman sana, para maka prepare ng mas mabuti ang cebu, pero i know cebu's gonna make it! cebu pa?! next time olympics na, bwehehehe :jk:

Here are pictures I took earlier today. Sorry for the quality guys, I've been taking these pics inside the car. :(

The Marcelo Fernan Bridge
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000794.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000795.jpg

Mandaue City

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000796.jpg

A.S. Fortuna Avenue (with CityLights Towers )
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000797.jpg

Gaisano Country Mall
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000798.jpg

Parklane International Hotel
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000799.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/P1000800.jpg

yeah! pero taka lang ako, swu dba ur from durianburg, is the ATF to be held in dvo part of the 75 meetings? tsaka matagal nang balita yung pag hohost ng davao, pero with cebu, bakit parang deliberate ata yung decision? and to think 54 of the 75 meetings will be in cebu, its a good news pero parang binagsakan ng bomba ang cebu sa mga events na yan, next time proper warning naman sana, para maka prepare ng mas mabuti ang cebu, pero i know cebu's gonna make it! cebu pa?! next time olympics na, bwehehehe :jk:

Fundraiser bro, Cebu was already been eyed as the venue since 2004 pa.. although it was confirmed last SEAG because we were just waiting for Myanmar not to host it..

yeah! pero taka lang ako, swu dba ur from durianburg, is the ATF to be held in dvo part of the 75 meetings? tsaka matagal nang balita yung pag hohost ng davao, pero with cebu, bakit parang deliberate ata yung decision? and to think 54 of the 75 meetings will be in cebu, its a good news pero parang binagsakan ng bomba ang cebu sa mga events na yan, next time proper warning naman sana, para maka prepare ng mas mabuti ang cebu, pero i know cebu's gonna make it! cebu pa?! next time olympics na, bwehehehe :jk:

It is because Myanmar passes the hosting of 2006 meeting last Sept or October lang so the Philippines which will host in 2007 pa sana is the one that will host this early thats why an immediate decision should be made kung where will it be held and Manila is still chaotic, Subic which is the host city sana in 2007 is not that ready financially pa so Cebu is the most geared up to host the said big event...

ah ganun ba? stupif me, d ata gumagana newsroom ng utak ko, havent heard of that ah, nun lang november, hehe, tnx bai arnold and slerz, adto mo tom. huh.

yeah! pero taka lang ako, swu dba ur from durianburg, is the ATF to be held in dvo part of the 75 meetings? tsaka matagal nang balita yung pag hohost ng davao, pero with cebu, bakit parang deliberate ata yung decision? and to think 54 of the 75 meetings will be in cebu, its a good news pero parang binagsakan ng bomba ang cebu sa mga events na yan, next time proper warning naman sana, para maka prepare ng mas mabuti ang cebu, pero i know cebu's gonna make it! cebu pa?! next time olympics na, bwehehehe :jk:

supposedly myanmar is hosting for 2006 and phil will be on 2007 but myanmar backed out so mejo napaaga ang hosting ng pinas. davao was informed last august 2005 that the city will host the atf on jan 2006. that means only 5 months for the preparation. i am pretty sure cebu can handle the ASEAN summit come dec 2006. :)

But which is bigger and needs big budget... the ATF or the ASEAN forum?

^^ as per article above, GMA promised 1 billion for the ASEAN Summit. while ATF, the DOT allocated 100 million and davao city govt shelled out 27 million. ATF is just a slice from a big pie and that big pie is the ASEAN Summit. Good luck to Davao & Cebu!

siguro the ATF is part of the 75 meets before the ASEAN forum, and the ATF focuses more on tourism kaya tourism ministers and secretaries mostly ang mag aattend. but its a big moment for davao din, show them that the island of mndanao is not "on fire" and show them what a "functional mindanao" can do. but the ATF was supposed to be in cebu, kaya lang sinulog so davao was chosen to be the host.

ey swu! ur in davao right? available pa rin ba yung durian coffee? our convention this year will be held in davao, dunno lang what month pero to taste durian coffee is one of my plans, hehehe, and sneak from our hotel rooms (para dili makita sa madre nga nangikyas) and enjoy liquid and the venue! excited na nga ako eh!

cebu already hosted ATF in 1998. and cebu is already an established tourist destination so i think di na kelangan ang ATF. pang-heads of states na ang cebu.

yes im here in DC 24/7. speaking of durian coffee, buhi pa ang blugre sa matina town square. enjoy your liquid & venue!

Yup, pang head of states na ang Cebu and so with Davao ;)

go cebu !!! full speed ahead !! brommmmmm :)

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she will sit down with the architect and prospective contractors this month to discuss a "workable schedule" that ensures a "world-class" convention site will be completed by November.

Plans for a P250-million Megadome sports arena in Mandaue City have been revised to make it an international convention center that may cost up to three times more.


I'm really bothered with this thing til now. It'll cost three times more but i heard someone here thought the latest design is much smaller than the renderings we have here. I hope we can have the latest design uploaded here the soonest possible :D

Tommy O’s investment in Cebu’s future
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 01/02/2006

Halfway through my conversation with Cebu City’s Tommy Osmeña, I realized why Tommy recovered miraculously from the same aneurism in the brain that took the life of Wykes Wycoco. He still has unfinished work to do that God wants him to get done.

Tommy is one local official who has managed to combine the politician’s feel for the needs of his people and a corporate executive’s systematic approach and obsession to convert visions to reality. He is a risk taker and has no patience for myopic politicians with bird brains, for those who cannot share his grand vision for Cebu. He’s controversial, even in Cebu where the Osmeña name used to have unmatchable magic. But he sure has leadership.

Some of Tommy’s projects, like the South Reclamation Project (SRP), for which he borrowed 12 billion yen from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation had been stymied by legal challenges from local politicians. Delays from these challenges have cost the City of Cebu at least a billion pesos in financial carrying cost. It seems Cebu’s not immune from too much politics too, the bane of our existence in Imperial Manila.

But the project’s almost done, with the first phases ready for the initial investors to come in. This is why Tommy has renamed the project, South Road Properties, still retaining the initials SRP but now ready to be sold as the primest of prime properties in Cebu today. The 300-hectare area is envisioned to take a mixed development approach, with commercial, tourism, residential and industrial sectors within it.

The SRP, an island off the coast of Cebu’s central business district, was described by one potential Taiwanese locator, as Cebu’s Manhattan. That’s exactly what Tommy has in mind for it. Tommy’s looking for a private sector developer to work on the commercial, residential and tourism sides of SRP to make it one unified and well planned development. He didn’t say it outright but I thought he might have in mind, something like what had been done in converting Rockwell, a former power plant site into an integrated upscale urban redevelopment.

The SRP would be Cebu’s future central business district. A 12-kilometer, four-lane coastal road that leads to the southern portion of the island province goes around it. Aside from having its own water desalination plant, there would be fiber optic cables for reliable broadband connections.

I sat in one meeting he had with a potential investor and he made it clear that aside from the income stream he expects the city to earn from the project, he is looking at generating significant employment for Cebuanos in the city’s less developed south side.

As an aside, I asked Tommy, who in his opinion, are the best local government leaders in the country today. On top of his list is Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte for among other things, his fiscal management of the City’s Treasury that was worse than empty when Sonny inherited it.

Also in Tommy’s list is Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado. Tommy thinks he is one forward looking local official who is able to muster resources from all available sources to spur Bohol’s development. Bohol is one province with so much potential, just waiting for such a local leader to get it on the fast lane.

Then there is of course, Naga City’s famous Mayor Jesse Robredo, the Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for government service in 2000. Tommy is impressed how Robredo is able to use consensus building to unite NGOs and all other parties with the best intentions for his city towards development objectives. This is why, Tommy said, even trapos who reign supreme in the provincial politics of Camarines Sur are unable to touch Robredo.

Oh well... if we had more Tommy Osmeñas, Sonny Belmontes, Erico Aumentados and Jesse Robredos at the local government level, we can ignore the National Government in Imperial Manila.

Year 2006: Renewed hope for a better year!
INSIDE CEBU By Bobit S. Avila
The Philippine Star 01/02/2006

This is our first column for the year 2006 and like the majority of the Filipino people, you count me in among the 85 percent who are optimistic that this year will be a better one than the previous year. That said, a lingering question bothers us? what would the year 2006 bring? Or do we have to accept the reality that this new year wouldn?t really be better at all? So the only thing left for us is hope for the best!

As you know by now, despite the worse political circus that ever happened to this country last year, we were still blessed with a healthy peso to the US dollar rate? perhaps, something that financial experts predicted, given the massive inflow of US dollars from the eight million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which has reached more than $8 billion. It is by far the nation?s biggest dollar earner bar none! But whether the peso would remain healthy by the middle of this year, all that remains to be seen. But that is something to really hope for in this new year.

For us who believe that the nation?s seemingly endless political crisis is linked to the 1987 Cory Constitution, there is some ray of hope that perhaps, we just might see genuine political reforms through changes in our Charter (Cha-cha). Thanks to the pressure brought forth by the "Hello Garci" scandal, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) created the Consultative Commission (Con-com) in order to find a new draft Constitution that would replace our present one. Well, the Con-com already submitted exactly on time on Dec. 15, 2005 its draft Constitution, so the debate on this issue would certainly take up headline space for much of 2006.

But serious snags remain in the Con-com?s draft, one of which is the no-election (no-el) scenario which grants a three-year extension on the terms of office of all elective officials? something that is quite abhorrent to many of us? after all, elections are one of the main tenets of a democracy. While I can understand the logical reasons why the Con-com has pushed for this, the fact remains that elective officials shouldn?t be allowed to stay a minute longer in their respective offices unless their constituents would vote them back. Then there is the question of those so-called "last-termers."

For most of the year 2005, the province of Cebu was plagued by joint proposals from the three members of Congress, Rep. Simeon Kintanar of the second district, Rep. Antonio Yapha of the third district and Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez of the fourth district, to break up Cebu into four separate provinces dubbed as "Sugbuak"? all because these people still want to remain in power and their only common denominator is that they are all last-termers and can no longer run for the same elective position.

If these people would dare break up the province of Cebu, the nation?s number one province in terms of income, assets and zero debt, you can be sure that these last-termers would even destroy the very fabric of democracy just so they can continue being in power till the year 2010.

There is no doubt that the no-el scenario is very tempting, especially for last-termers, which is why we can expect them supporting the move for Charter changes. I believe that changing the Constitution is a noble endeavor, alas, it is the "bribe" of no-election that makes the whole thing immoral. Again, we hope that members of Congress, which would turn itself into a constituent assembly (con-ass) to dance the Cha-cha, would rise up to the call of the times? that we need to rid ourselves of the evils of our current political system, but not at the expense of democracy! Again, we hope for better times in the year 2006? and a better government. But no one can assure us that the Senate and House can agree on Cha-cha. Until they do, we can only hope for the best!
* * *
For most of the year 2005, despite Cebu City?s unabated vigilante-style killings (the last of which happened four days ago to Nikki Shewakram, the son of our tenant and friend Shewak who was gunned down in downtown Cebu City), the political crisis that plagued Metro Manila didn?t really affect Cebu. In fact, because of Cebu?s (and the many other cities and provinces in the South) not joining the Gloria Resign movement, President Arroyo was able to stay in power. Hence, a grateful President has already ordained that the ASEAN Summit for 2006 will be held in Cebu.

Burma was supposed to chair the ASEAN, but begged off because of political pressure on its human rights record. So this time around, the Philippines plays host to the ASEAN Summit. However, the year 2006 has only 12 remaining months before the ASEAN Summit will be held, that means Cebu is now pressed for time to prepare for the hosting of the summit. Lucky for Kuala Lumpur, they had two years to prepare for the ASEAN Summit held last month.

There?s no doubt that the hosting of the ASEAN Summit will put Cebu on the world map, especially when the international press corps, including CNN and BBC and the press corps of the member-countries, will swoop down on Cebu to cover this gathering of ASEAN leaders. I gathered that it is not only the ASEAN leaders who are coming, but also other world leaders as well, including even US President George W. Bush. That?s a huge security nightmare, especially in Cebu City, which has yet to rid itself of vigilantes.

Problems like presidential suites in Cebu hotels are already being threshed out? including luxurious BMWs or Mercedes Benzes for the use of the ASEAN presidents and prime ministers. For sure critics would say that the money for hosting the ASEAN Summit is better spent on the poor. We heard this said by our beloved Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal during the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), but in the end, it was well worth it! So we can only hope that Cebuanos will unite with our political leaders in the effort to prepare Cebu for this momentous and once-in-a-lifetime event. It will be a monumental public relations disaster if Cebu fails in its preparations for the summit.

At this point, I hope that for this new year 2006, my fellow Cebuanos would realize that Cebu isn?t good for us Cebuanos anymore? Cebu is fast becoming a melting pot of people, not just from all over the Philippines, but from all over the world. In short, we need to upgrade our standards a bit higher and closer to the standards of Western nations? after all, we do have a big number of expatriates living in Cebu. This is not to mention the Koreans who have come to our shores in swarms. Well, that?s all what we can hope for in 2006. Happy New Year to our readers!

Happy Morning to everyone... the glimpse of the new morning, the new beginning for Cebu and the Philippines.

Carcar is the hometown of Miss Sheryn Regis...
Argao is the hometown of the recently retired Chief Justice Helario Davide...

Happy New Year everyone for the last time ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=gPcJWtUipwY

Nice to know that some well know people came from those towns. :cheers:

Ang other meaning diay sa BTC kay BETTER THAN COUTRYMALL wahahaha

^^Correct!

god i'm really happy for cebu!

hope to see high-rises in SRP very soon...

Here are some photos I took last year that I failed to share:

Mactan Shrine
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/mactanshrine_filtered.jpg

Cebu Provincial Capitol
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/capitol_filtered.jpg

Virgin Seas of Mactan
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/virginwater_filtered.jpg

General Maxilom Avenue
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/genmaxave_filtered.jpg

Cebu Harbour with Sheraton
(taken on a Ferry Boat)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/harbourwithsheraton_filtered.jpg

Bagacay Point of Liloan
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/bagacayptliloan_filtered.jpg

Coastal View
(from Marcelo Fernan Bridge)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/2ndbridgecoastal_filtered.jpg

The Waterfront Hotel
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/waterfront_filtered.jpg

Thanks Sinjin. The unofficial padlock. hehe :D

Here are some pics that I took during the second meeting.


East Aurora Condominium
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0395.jpg

Watefront Hotel at dusk
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0421.jpg

The topmost floors of Ayala FGU Building as seen from the 12th floor (Coffee Shop in the balcony)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0423.jpg

SM Sheraton Hotel and SM City Mall
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0401.jpg

Marco Polo Plaza Hotel
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0397.jpg

PIPC, Asiatown IT Park
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0442.jpg

Cebu Yacht Club
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0389.jpg


View of Cebu City from our house (Visible are Midtown Hotel, Metrobank, Club Ultima and Crown Regency)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0376.jpg

^^ wow! Great shots arnold!!! i didn't notice u taking photos of those bldgs last SSC Meet :D hehe

Please visit this thread: SSC Cebu Meet - Episode II - PICS! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=301947)

Thanks :D

nice to see those cebu pics - brings back memories of summer vacations visiting my cousins.

that liloan lighthouse is now part of the Amarra development by ayala land no? I heard the lots have been selling like hotcakes.

^^ yup! Phase I of the Ayala project was sold 97% even before its launching! lol.. and it's not just a residential project ;) Cebu's real estate industry is booming. the IT industry, Tourism, Commercial/Corporate are goin' up. everything's doin' so well here. a very good sign of a great future ahead. :D

Btw, wer u from moncho? Welcome to Skyscrapercity Forums! :okay:

^^ Nice shotz! I love the facade of the Waterfront Hotel- one of Cebu's famous landmarks

YEAY!!! cebu is so promissing!!!! go cebu!!! they should start building scrapers with 50(+) floors!!! yeay CEBU!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0421.jpg

^^ I love the facade of the Waterfront Hotel- one of Cebu's famous landmarks

i was just told about this joke. ewan ko lang if u find funny ha. one time there was this foreigner who visited cebu. it's his first time, a bit excited so he went around the city and immediately noticed that Disney Castle-looking structure. he asked someone wat that thing is. he was told it is where the Queen of Cebu lives. he thought of it for a while,then he remembered Cebu popularly known as the Queen City of the South. the Queen of the South should live there, he thought~! haha basta, un na un. :bash:

@rusty18 - I'm a displaced Cebuano in London. Although to be honest i never really lived in cebu for a long stretch after i was 4 years old (my Dad moved us around a bit with his work) but we'd go there every summer and xmas to visit relatives.

We used to live in guadalupe, most of my cousins lived in a compound behind STC though (aboitiz st).

Here are some pics that I took during the second meeting.http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0389.jpg

Still taking pics of buildings while on EB, wa gyud mi ninyo kalimti! :)
Btw, where are the yachts of Cebu yacht club?

long time no hear guys :) i was juz gone for one day and this thread is almost full again wow !! :) hows the new year starting for cebu overthere ?? :)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0421.jpg



i was just told about this joke. ewan ko lang if u find funny ha. one time there was this foreigner who visited cebu. it's his first time, a bit excited so he went around the city and immediately noticed that Disney Castle-looking structure. he asked someone wat that thing is. he was told it is where the Queen of Cebu lives. he thought of it for a while,then he remembered Cebu popularly known as the Queen City of the South. the Queen of the South should live there, he thought~! haha basta, un na un. :bash:

haha my uncle thought of the same too the first time he saw waterfront :) funny

@rusty18 - I'm a displaced Cebuano in London. Although to be honest i never really lived in cebu for a long stretch after i was 4 years old (my Dad moved us around a bit with his work) but we'd go there every summer and xmas to visit relatives.

We used to live in guadalupe, most of my cousins lived in a compound behind STC though (aboitiz st).

really? good to know! so nice to have u here moncho. our fellaz here are always kickin' ass just to keep everyone posted. feel free to post bai. kasabot ka bisaya? hehe

gamay lang. i do know the nice words like 'buang', 'bayut', 'pestengyawa' (sp?) and when my tagalog friends talk about their libangan, I always have visions of a toilet bowl.

long time no hear guys :) i was juz gone for one day and this thread is almost full again wow !! :) hows the new year starting for cebu overthere ?? :)

welcome back pmarl! check out our episode II photos :D Cebu's new year's a blast!! daghan fireworks, daghan food! lol

we have moncho today droppin by. at least naa nakay kauban sa europe. hehe

gamay lang. i do know the nice words like 'buang', 'bayut', 'pestengyawa' (sp?) and when my tagalog friends talk about their libangan, I always have visions of a toilet bowl.

waaah! bugal-bugalon man pud diay ka. :rofl:
wattabout "langgam", "kadyut", "libog" and "utong"?

wow juz saw the pics bai !! seems that u guys are really havin fun !! to the max !! soya ko da Grrrr hehe :) cant wait to chill out with u guys when im downthere in cebu this summer :)

Rusty mo larga na diay ka balik manila ?? when man ka balik cebu ??

gamay lang. i do know the nice words like 'buang', 'bayut', 'pestengyawa' (sp?) and when my tagalog friends talk about their libangan, I always have visions of a toilet bowl.

cool another european cebuano :) finaly im not the only cebuano here in europe anymore :)

i've been to london dude !! nice place ;)

muuuuuuusssssst nooootttt poooossssssttt..... muuussssstttt maaaaakkkkke prooooojeeeeect.. dammit!!! :D

I was told by my younger nieces that there's a cebuano version of the colegiala/maarte accent. For e.g. kadyut lang is pronounced as 'kad-jit lang' is that true? or is it just a regional variation?

wow juz saw the pics bai !! seems that u guys are really havin fun !! to the max !! soya ko da Grrrr hehe :) cant wait to chill out with u guys when im downthere in cebu this summer :)

Rusty mo larga na diay ka balik manila ?? when man ka balik cebu ??
my family most likely will spend Christmas in Manila man gud. i hope i can find time this summer para mu drop by lang sa cebu. coz i also heard cebuwow will also be coming over from japan for a short visit or sumthin. basta, i can always come back anytime pero unlike this recent xmas vacation. this is my longest vacation yet. for the past two years, i only stay here in cebu in less than 3 days ra gyud. once a year pa jud!

Arch Bishop Reyes ave...
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6594/archbreyesave4pz.jpg
(http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3393/archbreyesavea2wd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Downtown Cebu from FGU tower
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9173/downtowncebufromfgutower0nb.jpg
(http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5712/downtowncebufromfgu16rz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CBP @ dusk
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9573/cbpdusk14ri.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ayala Center/Cafe Laguna
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4208/cbpdusk2acc7zf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1217/cbpdusk33kv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Waterfront @ dusk
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2739/cbpdusk41tx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7539/cbpdusk57vg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

@ night
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7168/cbpnightfall4ei.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9802/cbpnightfall26gc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cool another european cebuano :) finaly im not the only cebuano here in europe anymore :)

i've been to london dude !! nice place ;)

yeah, nightlife is great i have to say.

altho i'd rather be going out in cebu esp with the exchange rate in my favor hehehe. ah well, soon I'll go for a visit.

my family most likely will spend Christmas in Manila man gud. i hope i can find time this summer para mu drop by lang sa cebu. coz i also heard cebuwow will also be coming over from japan for a short visit or sumthin. basta, i can always come back anytime pero unlike this recent xmas vacation. this is my longest vacation yet. for the past two years, i only stay here in cebu in less than 3 days ra gyud. once a year pa jud!

i will be in manila too bai for one week:) akong lola didto man puyo and the reason why im flying to pinas for 3 weeks kay golden aniversay sa akong lola i will stay one week in manila and 2 weeks in cebu we can also chill there manila ;)

u be my tour guide sa manila kay masaag dyud ko sa manila hehe lol i only know my lolas place and makati :(

yeah, nightlife is great i have to say.

altho i'd rather be going out in cebu esp with the exchange rate in my favor hehehe. ah well, soon I'll go for a visit.

haha samething with me !! its bloody hella expensive there in london !! it will be betta to juz spend it all in cebu one drink u buy in london is already for the whole crew in cebu !! :) so when are u planning to fly downthere to cebu ?? already got plans ?

muuuuuuusssssst nooootttt poooossssssttt..... muuussssstttt maaaaakkkkke prooooojeeeeect.. dammit!!! :D

pasaway, uli daw 6pm pero 12 midnight na diay. haha

finish that thing first, no SSC today! :nono:

great pics slerss !! FIGHTER BAI !! :)

i will be in manila too bai for one week:) akong lola didto man puyo and the reason why im flying to pinas for 3 weeks kay golden aniversay sa akong lola i will stay one week in manila and 2 weeks in cebu we can also chill there manila ;)

u be my tour guide sa manila kay masaag dyud ko sa manila hehe lol i only know my lolas place and makati :(

ah ok sure way problema na. ang main event sa manila pero u'll spend most of the time in cebu? hehe. pero ayaw pa suya ha basin makakuyog nuon ko inig adto nimo cebu haha

Real estate industry faces bright prospects in 2006


While the overseas Filipino market helped buoy the real estate industry in the past few years, the increased investments in tourist-related industries would boost the sector's prospects in 2006.

Abundio Gultiano Jr., National Real Estate Association Cebu chapter president, said the industry would get a boost from the rising real estate acquisition.

According to Gultiano, the industry performed well in 2005, an indication that the industry has already picked up.

“We have started our momentum. And we hope to maintain it in 2006,” he said.

One of the bright prospects of 2006, he said, is the proposed acquisition by a Japanese investor of a property in Cebu.

Gultiano said the Japanese investor was planning to buy out the owner of an existing hotel business in Cebu.

The transaction is estimated to reach P600 million, he said.

He said the investor, who has already toured the hotel's area and its facility, has already decided to acquire the property.

The Japanese investor will be coming back to Cebu early this January to process the papers for the acquisition, he added.

Gultiano also noted that an investor from Manila has signified his intention to pour investment in Cebu’s resort hotel industry.

The investor, he said, has shown interest in Mactan and Bohol.

The investor is allocating P1 billion for the purchase of between seven and 10 hectares of land in Bohol, and another P1 billion for a similar-sized property on Mactan Island, Gultiano said.

He cited the efforts of government to develop the real estate industry as among the factors contributing to its positive growth.

“The Pag-ibig Fund allocated P1-billion loan facility to finance housing of its members, with 40 percent already loaned to the public," Gultiano said.

This program made acquisition of real estate properties affordable to more people, he pointed out.

Real estate developers also came up with low-cost housing to make it within reach of the public, Gultiano said.

He said the business sector, specifically banks, is also very supportive of the industry.

Gultiano also cited the success of Cebu Holdings Inc.'s high-end residential project in Liloan, Cebu which started last year.

The developer sold about 96 percent of the first phase of Amara even before its launching, he added. Because of this, Cebu Holdings has already started its second phase.

Even the memorial lot market has recovered from its downturn two years ago, Gultiano said.

Based on recent developments, he said the demand for commercial spaces would pick up this year.

Gultiano noted that the industry had been performing well, especially in the last quarter of 2005.

The industry's good performance also came from the housing, commercial and industrial sub-sectors, he said.

He cited as example the Banilad Town Center, which opened last year and is fully occupied.

Due to the positive developments in the industry, property values of prime areas have also gone up, Gultiano noted.

Another industry stakeholder also sees brighter prospects in 2006 amid positive developments.

Socor Construction Corp. managing director Fortunato Sanchez Jr. said that in 2006, a lot of future horizontal infrastructure projects are being lined up for Cebu.

Although these projects are still up for bidding, these would benefit the industry, Sanchez said.

The infrastructure projects include the proposed two-kilometer taxiway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the upcoming P200-million asphalting project of the Cebu provincial government and the planned P10-million tunnel starting at the South Road Properties (formerly the South Reclamation Project).

To build facility on time,
Capitol mulls ‘shortcuts’

Hard pressed to build the main venue for the 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in December, Cebu officials are seeking ways to do it “legally” in the allotted time of less than a year.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia said Monday they were planning to ask President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to exempt them from the tedious procedures governing bidding of government projects and save them time in building the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), the main venue for the annual gathering of state leaders from Southeast Asia and other Asia-Pacific countries.

Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act governs the bidding procedures for all government and foreign-assisted projects.

Garcia said the province was targeting November 6 this year as completion date of the project in the same Mandaue City location that was initially allotted for the Megadome project.

An inspection team will arrive in Cebu on January 6 to inspect the proposed site.

The team’s members will be briefed by the Philippine preparation task force led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo.


The Cebu Committee is chaired by Undersecretary Frank Benedicto of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, chairman of the project’s oversight committee, has submitted to the governor the program of works that included details of the CICC's design, planning, detailed engineering, and actual construction.

Sanchez also recommended that Malacañang be requested for the exemption to save time in the construction of the facility.

“There is a request for an exemption from certain procedures that will tie us down,” the governor explained.

“We will study that (request). What we are looking at here is the most expeditious and yet legally tenable, transparent, and defensible way of putting up the CICC,” Garcia said.

A P250-million fund, approved by the Provincial Board during the incumbency of former governor Pablo Garcia, will be used to start the project as soon as the President gives the go signal.

Design changes have been made by Architect Alexius Medalla, the winner of a design contest for the Megadome, and Vice Governor Sanchez, who submitted the work schedule.

Terms of reference (TOR) will be drawn to offer potential investors to operate the facility after the ASEAN summit is over and to take part in building it under a Reimburse-Operate-Transfer Scheme.

Roy Ursal, legal officer of the Commission on Audit 7 (COA), said he doubted the President would allow the province to skip the legal bidding procedures.

He said that while it was within President Arroyo's power to issue the guidelines governing the Act’s implementation, it was not within her power to amend the law.

“The neck of the president will also be on the line if she does that. A lot of people are watching her,” he said.

Bidding Process
The law requires a pre-procurement conference.

The invitation for illegibility to bid is then posted in a newspaper of national circulation twice with an interval of seven days in between publication.

Ursal said publication should be completed within a maximum of 21 days before conducting a pre-bid conference.

The opening and evaluation of bids follows.

The Bids and Awards Committee looks into the compliance of bidders based on the legal and financial requirements of the project. The lowest bidder is identified.

Post qualification is conducted before the local government unit awards the contract to the winning bidder.

muuuuuuusssssst nooootttt poooossssssttt..... muuussssstttt maaaaakkkkke prooooojeeeeect.. dammit!!! :D

sugbuanon, do what you need to do! do your project! para nig human nimo sa imo kurso, mas pa ka maka ssc... a friendly advice. :)

gamay lang. i do know the nice words like 'buang', 'bayut', 'pestengyawa' (sp?) and when my tagalog friends talk about their libangan, I always have visions of a toilet bowl.


i couldn't help but laugh! (: and why those words? those arent nice words and they are best flushed in the toilet bowl...

ah ok sure way problema na. ang main event sa manila pero u'll spend most of the time in cebu? hehe. pero ayaw pa suya ha basin makakuyog nuon ko inig adto nimo cebu haha

lol kuyog nalang hehe :)

@Pmarl: Haha, mao gyud!

One of the bright prospects of 2006, he said, is the proposed acquisition by a Japanese investor of a property in Cebu.

Gultiano said the Japanese investor was planning to buy out the owner of an existing hotel business in Cebu. The transaction is estimated to reach P600 million, he said.

He said the investor, who has already toured the hotel's area and its facility, has already decided to acquire the property.

The Japanese investor will be coming back to Cebu early this January to process the papers for the acquisition, he added.

Gultiano also noted that an investor from Manila has signified his intention to pour investment in Cebu’s resort hotel industry.

what hotel could this be??!!

In Mactan island alone, upcoming resort hotels: Marriott, Marco Polo, 6-Tower Korean Hotel and then this upcoming investor?! wtf! :cool:

^^In Mactan?!? Marriott , Marco Polo, etc. ?!? Were those officially mentioned in a press release already?

what about a sticky cebu thread...

justification:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/cebu_dec2005_pano2.jpg

A very nice suggestion sleepwalker ;) that one has the upcoming Club Ultima Tower II (the tallest thing) target completion date is 2007 yet. :D this is the latest skyline.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/12-30-05/cebu_dec2005_pano1.jpg
CEBU CITY SKYLINE
Dec. 30, 2005
Photos by Slerz

^^In Mactan?!? Marriott , Marco Polo, etc. ?!? Were those officially mentioned in a press release already?

they were mentioned on recent news articles. these topics were discussed during our SSC Meet. :)

what about a sticky cebu thread...

chakto guid! paging sinjin, greyx et al..

@rusty: how about another makati rip-off from that angle.. hehehe

they were mentioned on recent news articles. these topics were discussed during our SSC Meet. :)

I saw it once in Marriot's ad at the defunct Asiaweek Magazine. There was a listing of their current and upcoming hotels and resorts. The Marriot in Cebu City was included, and so was the planned Marriot in Manila and Mactan.

Developer mulls resort-housing project near sea



Property developer Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc. (SLRDI) has taken a hint from Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), which developed a residential property by the sea.

According to SLRDI vice president for Finance Gerry Quintos, the company is now preparing for the launching of Discovery Bay, a super high-end 13.5-hectare residential development by the sea.

Combination

?It?s a combination of a resort and residences,? he said.

Quintos said SLRDI is anticipating a good response to the multi-million project because of the market?s reaction to CHI?s high-end Amara project and other residential development undertakings in Cebu of SLRDI in the past 15 years, as well.

During Amara?s grand launching, the CHI reported that 92 percent of the development?s lots are already sold out.

The projects that the company launched last year include Summer Hills in Compostela, Twin Peaks at Vista Grande in Talisay, Glenn Rose Residential Estate in Carcar, Greenville in Consolacion and Greenwoods Executive Homes in Talamban, Cebu City.

Quintos said SLRDI would continue to develop more projects as the opportunity comes amid issues in Cebu?s real estate industry.

?One of the problems in Cebu is that most properties have no proper titles and the lots are very expensive,? he said.

Osmeña: Economic confiscation by Cebu City
By Antonio V. Osmeña
Estatements

The power to tax in the hand of an unwise government is tantamount to the power to destroy (in the case of property values), especially in the face of the continuing economic crisis that affect property owners.

However, the power to tax is not a ?necessary evil,? but rather, if wisely used, the most important source of revenue upon which the government draws strength and support. Without tax, an owner?s rights may lack necessary protection and enforcement.

Critics are concerned with the procedure of local governments in determining the amount of tax to be imposed on real property. Ideally, in order to ascertain the amount of tax against a particular piece of property, a tax rate must be determined.

TO arrive at the tax rate, two factors are used: the budget or amount of money to be raised and the total valuation of taxable property within the district.

The total amount to be raised by taxation divided by the total assessed valuation gives the rate. The rate applied to the value of a particular parcel of real estate gives the amount of taxes chargeable to it.

For example, assume the budget to be P200 million, the assessed value of the property to be P8 million and the amount derived from revenues other than taxes for real estate P50 million. The tax rate would be determined by deducting P50 million from P200 million. The difference of P150 million is divided by P8 million, which gives .01875 per P1 or P1,875 per P100 assessed valuation.

There is a need for the Cebu City Council to equitably assess the realty valuation of the 37,000 hectares within its district which should include the re-zoning of the mountain hinterlands, which compose 70 per cent of Cebu City?s land area.

The unexpected financial need of the South Reclamation Project (SRP) has greatly altered the budgetary needs of Mayor Tom?s administration. Why should the property owners be made to suffer because of the lack of foresight of SRP managers?

Property owners would be happy to buy instead SRP serial bonds to be issued by the City of Cebu in lieu of higher realty assessment. The Cebu City Council should look and consider other options to raise money other than relying too much on realty tax revenues.

A budget is ?a statement of probable revenue and expenditure and of financial proposals for the ensuing year as presented to or passed upon by a legislative body.? It is customary, in the preparation of a budget, for each branch or department of the government to prepare in detail an estimate of the amount it requires for the period under consideration.

This estimate and those of other departments are analyzed and amended. After consideration of all estimates, the final figures are assembled with the total representing the amount of money the political bodies appropriate for their use for a certain period.

Usually, there are revenues derived from other sources other than taxation. These are estimated as closely as possible and are deducted from the total of the budget. The remaining amount represents the sum that must be raised by taxation on property within a local government?s jurisdiction.


Critics say that the Cebu City Council lack the talent to introduce money-making ordinances thus depending too much on realty tax revenue.

The City?s annual investment plan (AIP) as envisioned by the City Development Council should source the necessary funding through public subscription of serial bonds since the SRP is a money-making project of the city. Let the public share with the City the probable gain from the SRP lots.

It is unfortunate that our local political leadership has exploited the real estate owners and, to many people, this is an economic confiscation.

To all SSC-Cebu Forumers and forumers from other places

ssc_cebu@yahoo.com.ph

sa fwendster

chakto guid! paging sinjin, greyx et al..

@rusty: how about another makati rip-off from that angle.. hehehe

sure! i'll work on that one. but i'm thinkin' of other skyline nalang. hongkong siguro. we'll see. hehehe

^^ Guys, I just heard from a news program, not sure what news program was that though (because my eyes were on SSC :D), that the Cebu International Convention Center (formerly Cebu Megadome), will be 12,000 seater only?!? What?!?! Anyway, I'm still excited about the architecture though.

^^ Guys, I just heard from a news program, not sure what news program was that though (because my eyes were on SSC :D), that the Cebu International Convention Center (formerly Cebu Megadome), will be 12,000 seater only?!? What?!?! Anyway, I'm still excited about the architecture though.

and thats only exact or mas bigger pa gani for a converntion center, afterall it's not a sports dome...

^^ Yeah, there will be at least 5,000 delegates as I heard. ;)

^^ Guys, I just heard from a news program, not sure what news program was that though (because my eyes were on SSC :D), that the Cebu International Convention Center (formerly Cebu Megadome), will be 12,000 seater only?!? What?!?! Anyway, I'm still excited about the architecture though.

That's big enough. PICC has only 4,000 seating capacity.

About the name, dba the one in waterfront is already called CICC.

That's big enough. PICC has only 4,000 seating capacity.

jimbu where have u been? :D its been a while since the last time u posted on this thread :D nice to know ur back hehe

12,000-seater nalang? ok, not bad. at least meron diba! The original Megadome will rise soon, Mandaue Reclamation may not be the place for it. SRP maybe? :dunno:

Let's just hope for the best! the upcoming ultra-modern convention center is something worth our excitement :okay: any renderings people?

btw, who posted the renderings of "The Megadome". if i'm not mistaken, he even asked permission from the designer group to have it posted here. i hope he can ask the final design of CICC :D... CICC II rather. lol parang Thread part II! :lol:

12,000-seater nalang? ok, not bad. at least meron diba! The original Megadome will rise soon, Mandaue Reclamation may not be the place for it. SRP maybe? :dunno:


So the Megadome will be another project diay bai rust? Now thats great. But then again, when? hehehe.

newei how's the trip bai? miss na nimo cebu no. :D

that i dunno. hopefully! But we still have CITEC remember? :D

nah, my flight was moved later today. i think my travel agent is hitting on me. :hilarious first flight, 5AM :D

btw, about the upcoming CICC... is it convertible to a sports arena or sumthin like that? coz the original proposal was to hold Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Games at least twice a month to keep the Megadome profitable or sumthin :dunno:

Man, i still want the original Megadome built! :(

that i dunno. hopefully! But we still have CITEC remember? :D



Man, i still want the original Megadome built!

i think bai if they will deviate from the original design of the Megadome for the CICC which they already did, they will eventually build the megadome.


nah, my flight was moved later today. i think my travel agent is hitting on me. :hilarious first flight, 5AM :D


ah naa pa ghapun d i ka sa sugbu. bantug ra. mura dili jud ka palargahun bai. paabuta na lang ang sinulog for our third meet :D

‘Cannot touch’ airport project
By Elias O. Baquero Sun.Star Staff Reporter
With Minerva B. Gerodias

A plan to build a new runway for Mactan airport is safe from the Bohol governor’s threat to block it.

Besides, there is no need for the Regional Development Council’s (RDC) approval for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to implement its P1-billion parallel runway.

The MCIAA wants this completed before the Asean Ministers’ Summit in December 2006, which will be held in Cebu.

Assistant Secretary Nilo Jatico, the MCIAA alternate chairman, gave this reaction to a statement of Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado that he will block the approval of the parallel runway proposed by MCIAA.

Aumentado was angered by the comment of MCIAA General Manager Adelberto F. Yap that an international airport in Panglao, Bohol, estimated to cost P4.2 billion, will just be a white elephant and will only increase the Philippines’ foreign debt.

As this developed, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said that she, like Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, will support a plan to build an international airport in Bohol.

Self-reliant

Jatico, a Cebuano and a retired major general of the Air Force, said the MCIAA, which is attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), falls within the jurisdiction of Macalañang, not the RDC.

There’s no need for RDC to approve the project because MCIAA has its own charter, according to Yap.

“We have our own funds, we plan our destiny. We only report this to RDC for reportorial requirements. The National Government doesn’t give us money,” Yap said.

MCIAA will soon construct the parallel runway with its own funds, revealed Jatico. It is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which set 2007 as its deadline.

It is not only ICAO that requires international airports to have two runways, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States also sets the same standards.

MCIAA Board Member Valeriano Avila also said that RDC approval is not needed because MCIAA has its own funds..

Potential

The airport is used by almost 500,000 tourists every year. MCIAA caters to about 2.5 million international and domestic passengers annually.

Yap expects the figure to double towards year 2010.

Yap, in an earlier interview with Sun.Star Cebu, observed that facilities for fastcraft vessels plying between Cebu and Panglao would be better than an international airport that would cater to only one or two aircraft.

However, he stressed, he has nothing against the Panglao project.

But Governor Garcia said putting up an airport in Panglao Island, a known tourist destination, will further empower the province.

“Such a major infrastructure would offer not only Bohol but the rest of the region the bright prospects of economic growth,” she said. “We recognize the potential for growth in Bohol. Such potential must be given an opportunity to become a reality.”

Garcia added that vital to a nation’s development is the strengthening of the local government units in terms of infrastructure.

Unfavorable comments about their projects are bound to get on the nerves of Bohol and other provinces in the region, whose officials have complained that Cebu seems to be monopolizing major infrastructure ventures funded by the government.

A newly updated regional plan emphasizes the need to avoid unequal development in the region.


Projects worth P17.7-B made in CV in ’05 - BOI

The Board of Investments (BOI) reported that a total of P17.7 billion-worth in investments were poured into Central Visayas last year.

These investment projects, which availed themselves of business incentives, generated 3,281 jobs, said BOI Cebu extension office chief Ernesto Pintac.

Pintac told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that the volume of businesses and investments poured in last year speaks of the business confidence of investors in the region.

In 2004, the BOI Cebu registered only about P2.9 billion-worth of projects, which created 579 jobs, he said.

“I think we already have recovered and are now back to gaining a high level of business confidence from local and foreign investors after the Asian financial crisis,” he said.

More than 50 percent of the 17 firms that registered for business incentives in 2005 are Filipino-owned while the rest are foreign, he added.

Biggest

The biggest project registered last year during the third quarter was Kepco-Salcon Power Corp., with a total project cost of P15.9 billion and is projected to employ 520 people for its coal power plant in Naga, Cebu.

While he admitted the need to improve more on infrastructure to attract more investors, Pintac said business opportunities “obviously” abound regardless of anything.

In the last quarter of 2005, nine firms availed themselves of business incentives with a total investment cost of P1.2 billion. These projects generated 1,028 jobs.

There were two new information and communications technology (ICT) firms located in Cebu that availed themselves of business incentives: website developer Interweb Media Connections, a P3.5-million project that will generate 39 jobs, and Clickstream Marketing Inc., also a website development company with an investment of P2.3 million and is expected to create 20 jobs.

Film school

Other investments in the region are the P62.5-million International Academy for Film and Television Inc., which will employ 36 workers in Cebu, and the P10.9-million Entheos Information Technology Inc., a medical transcription firm that will create 160 jobs in Oriental Negros.

Also registered with the BOI are: the P56.3 million-expansion project of Mehitabel Inc., a furniture company located in Cebu is expected to create 185 jobs; and Cenapro Chemicals Corp.’s P135-million expansion in Cebu; 8990 Housing Basic Corp.’s mass housing project worth P76 million that will create 135 jobs in Cebu.

Palm oil

PALM Inc., producer of crude palm oil in Bohol, a P481.7-million project that will create 45 jobs, is the biggest project registered for the fourth quarter of 2005, according to BOI data furnished to Sun.Star Cebu.

The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, a P398.5-million project of Asia Pacific Top Management International Resources Corp. that is expected to create 400 jobs, is also registered with the BOI

“Business continues to pour in and we are even more bullish for this year. We got many inquiries from tourist-related businesses that are interested of putting up hotels in Cebu,” Pintac said..

He revealed that BOI Cebu sees some eight firms from the furniture, ICT and tourism-related sectors (hotels) to invest and avail themselves of business incentives in the first quarter of this year.

“We will also assist small and medium enterprises in Bohol that are involved in tourism-related businesses, for them to take advantage of the booming tourism in the region,” he said.

The firms approved by the BOI will enjoy incentives like income tax holidays, tax and customs duty exemptions on capital equipment and spare parts and net operating loss carryover.

" Still, having a presentable convention center is good enough considering Cebu’s hosting of a major international gathering of Southeast Asian and other leaders. I just hope, though, that the facility would be put to good use after the December summit and it’s design upgraded, as promised earlier, to a multi-purpose one. "
Bong O. Wenceslao, SUNSTAR

so they will make a megadome out of the convention center? :sleepy:

whoa! nice one! i thought of that anyway. so wishing more to come :D

renderings..renderings..renderings! hehe

CV plan warns v. Imperial Cebu
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Sun.Star Staff Reporter



With the population and economic activities concentrated in Metro Cebu, regional planners are pushing for a policy to promote the rapid growth of other major urban centers in Central Visayas.

Unequal development among urban areas in the region?or what some officials have called the Imperial Cebu problem?is one of the areas of concern listed under the Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan (RPFP) 2003-2030.

The RPFP said one policy option for development planners is to promote the growth of urban centers in the provinces of Bohol, Oriental Negros and Siquijor.

The RPFP serves as a guide on how land and natural resources may be put to the most beneficial use for the people and how these may be managed, conserved and sustained.

It is also necessary to identify and acquire future housing sites through municipal land banking, improve the accessibility of the region?s urban service centers, and promote the development of settlements near transportation corridors, the plan said.

Center

Maria Teresa Alambra, supervising economic development specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7, said that if Central Visayas wants to be ?the center of trade and tourism, there is a need to develop arterial roads? as well.

According to the RPFP, the region?s goal should include greater intra and inter-regional physical and economic integration, through the provision of necessary and key infrastructure, facilities and services.

The RPFP, updated recently, was approved by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 during its full council meeting last month.

During the meeting, local government leaders from Siquijor and Oriental Negros lamented the lack of attention given to their provinces? needs, during the discussion of infrastructure projects for Cebu.

Development planners agreed to support infrastructure development to meet basic needs and to ensure economic integration in the region.

They also envisioned roads connecting other provinces to Negros Occidental.

Friendship

Earlier, the RDC 7 endorsed to President Arroyo for funding the building of the ?friendship bridges? connecting the provinces of Bohol, Cebu and Oriental Negros.

Alambra, during a presentation to the RDC 7, said they want to ensure the equitable distribution of population and economic activity in the region, by identifying other urban centers that have potential for growth.

The National Government uses the RPFP as basis to identify which local government units (LGUs) are a priority for projects.

The RPFP also includes stable power supply, by increasing the capacity of the Visayas power grid, and water supply, by identifying water supply sources, and developing and protecting of surface water and groundwater.

According to the RPFP, LGUs need to support food security through the expansion of irrigated areas and an increase in the supply of potable water.

New data

The RPFP covers land use polices on protected areas, where there should be no development. However, some protected areas have settlers, while others are crossed by infrastructure.

According to a brief from the Neda 7, which serves as the RDC secretariat, the first RPFP for Region 7 was drafted in 1993 yet.

The National Land Use Committee instructed the Central Visayas Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) to update the RPFP in 2003 to comply with new laws that have implications on land use and to incorporate new data that will make the plan more relevant.

The RLUC held a regional consultation on the revised RPFP last Nov. 29 before it was presented to the RDC 7 for its approval.

CEBU CITY -- A plan to build a new runway for Mactan airport is safe from the Bohol governor’s threat to block it.

Besides, there is no need for the Regional Development Council’s (RDC) approval for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to implement its P1-billion parallel runway.

The MCIAA wants this completed before the Asean Ministers’ Summit in December 2006, which will be held in Cebu.

Assistant Secretary Nilo Jatico, the MCIAA alternate chairman, gave this reaction to a statement of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado that he will block the approval of the parallel runway proposed by MCIAA.

Aumentado was angered by the comment of MCIAA General Manager Adelberto F. Yap that an international airport in Panglao, Bohol, estimated to cost P4.2 billion, will just be a white elephant and will only increase the Philippines’ foreign debt.

As this developed, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said that she, like Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, will support a plan to build an international airport in Bohol.

Self-reliant

Jatico, a Cebuano and a retired major general of the Air Force, said that the MCIAA, which is attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), falls within the jurisdiction of Macalañang, not the RDC.

There’s no need for RDC to approve the project because MCIAA has its own charter, according to Yap.

“We have our own funds, we plan our destiny. We only report this to RDC for reportorial requirements. The National Government doesn’t give us money,” Yap said.

MCIAA will soon construct the parallel runway with its own funds, revealed Jatico. It is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which set 2007 as its deadline.

It is not only ICAO that requires international airports to have two runways, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States also sets the same standards.

MCIAA Board Member Valeriano Avila also said that RDC approval is not needed because MCIAA has its own funds.

Potential

The airport is used by almost 500,000 tourists every year. MCIAA caters to about 2.5 million international and domestic passengers annually.

Yap expects the figure to double towards year 2010.

Yap, in an earlier interview with Sun.Star Cebu, observed that facilities for fastcraft vessels plying between Cebu and Panglao would be better than an international airport that would cater to only one or two aircraft.

However, he stressed, he has nothing against the Panglao project.

But Governor Garcia said putting up an airport in Panglao Island, a known tourist destination, will further empower the province.

“Such a major infrastructure would offer not only Bohol but the rest of the region the bright prospects of economic growth,” she said. “We recognize the potential for growth in Bohol. Such potential must be given an opportunity to become a reality.”

Garcia added that vital to a nation’s development is the strengthening of the local government units in terms of infrastructure.

Unfavorable comments about their projects are bound to get on the nerves of Bohol and other provinces in the region, whose officials have complained that Cebu seems to be monopolizing major infrastructure ventures funded by the government.

A newly updated regional plan emphasizes the need to avoid unequal development in the region. (Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)

In my own opinion, it's really very unfeasible to build an international airport in Bohol given the fact that Bohol is very close to Cebu. Yap was right, Bohol should just concentrate on empowering its facilities for fastcraft vessel plying to Cebu and other provinces.

Just like what happened in Luzon, instead of building the NAIA T3, the government should have just focused on the development of the DMIA if it really wants it (DMIA) to replace the existing airport in Manila.. What is happening there now is that there are three international airports at close proximity to each other (NAIA, Subic and Clark). We don't even have air traffic that rivals Bangkok's or Tokyo's yet we have lots of "international" airports that are so desolate.

With so many international airports that don't even have traffic, where will the government get money to maintain it to international standards? And how about the expensive equipments? Oh my golly, if our officials were to run the airport in Hongkong, I am very much 100% sure that they would not close the Kai Tak IA even if there is already a new international airport nearby.

If my opinion is to be sought, there should only be THREE international airports in the country -- the DMIA for Luzon, the MCIA for Visayas, and the Davao IA for Mindanao.. The rest of the existing airports should be further developed as domestic airports that connect directly to the three international airports. Those that do not have airports should have better road networks and highways, and port facilities. Now this is what I call sound economic planning.

^^ I agree. I really wonder how these kinds of projects came to be without really planning the whole system.

^^ btaw, Panglao IS too close to Cebu, how can Garcia and Osmena not see that the project is doomed to be another Bataan Nuclear plant, or another Expo Filipino.

POLITICS is to be blamed! we have too many international gateways in the philippines and all airports are wanting to become international.

Modified Megadome to rise in February - Gov. Garcia
Published: 5 January 2006, CDN

by Dale G. Israel

CONSTRUCTION of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), formerly known as the megadome, would start in February, but with some modifications, said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The governor said the CICC would now house a convention area below the multi-purpose arena.

She said architect Alex Medalla would still use the original "spinning disc" design that would make the CICC look like a coliseum. The lower floors, however, would be raised three meters higher to accommodate the convention area.

The governor said the convention area was specifically inserted into the design suit the needs of the delegates to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this December.

While the whole structure wouldn't be entirely usable by December, she said the convention area would be finished in time for the summit.

As for who would construct the building in time, Garcia said the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184) offers several options that would allow little bureaucracy in choosing a contractor.

"Republic Act 9184 would give us the capacity to fast track the choice of competent contractors that will start the substructure construction," Garcia said.

She said a competent bidding process would still be used.

The governor said she had also issued an executive order for the creation of a "Megadome Task Force."

The group, she said, would make sure that the CICC would be constructed in time for the ASEAN Summit.

The task force will be divided into legal and technical committees. The legal committee will "look into procedures by which we can fast track, first of all, the choice of the contractor that will do the substructure," Garcia said.

The governor did not say who would compose the task force, but would likely include the her infrastructure consultant Apollo Enriquez, architect Medalla, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, and the vice governor's infrastructure consultant Pedro Adonis Compentio.

All four met with the governor yesterday to discuss the CICC.

"We discussed the modifications on the design in order to focus on the convention center that needs to be completed by November of this year," Garcia said.

"Architect Medalla presented a concept that... would incorporate the convention center and the sports arena... which may be constructed at a later date," she said. "Our focus will be on the construction and completion of the convention center, which will be on the ground floor. We will finish the shell with the same design, the spinning disc."

She said they were aiming for a completion date of Nov. 6 for the convention area and the shell.

Garcia said she intends to present the CICC's situation to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ask the President on how to expedite the building's construction.

Funding for the construction of the convention area and outer shell would be done using the P250 million already allocated for the CICC.

For the rest of the building, the governor said they would have to look for a private investor.

"After something as historic as the 12th ASEAN Summit, I am very sure that this facility will be very, very attractive to private investors who might want to complete the entire structure. It will have the added historic value of being the facility that was the venue of the prestigious event," Garcia said.

^^^ In the same way that all areas whether big or small want to become a province. A perfect example is the plan to break Cebu into 4 different provinces for the sake of "fast delivery of basic services." If they follow this premise, then why don't they just turn every subdivision, or say every barangay in the country into provinces? So that now we'll have millions of provinces that are cash strapped.

Politics really..

Sinulog na mga bai

Dawn Procession (4 am, Jan 05, 2006)) of the 1st day of the 9 Novenas for the Feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu on January 15, 2006

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/7752/1procession3re.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9097/2procession8tn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4439/3procession2kq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4895/4procession3cl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/6711/7processionstonio7ug.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/7578/9processionphotographers3ss.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/779/10procession4ii.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

@ the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center for the 1st mass of the 9 Novenas held after the procession

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/3779/15pilgrimcenternios0wr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/6950/16pilgrimcenternios8db.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4349/17pilgrimcentertourist7rx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/1342/18pilgrimcentertourist4bs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9752/19pilgrimcenteraltar5aq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/8066/20basilicanios9ex.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5190/21basilicanioatwall5ow.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9539/22basilicaexit0ic.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4277/23basilicaexit9mj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/191/24basilicaexit1ih.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

_ _ _ _ _ _




WATCH
The DAWN PROCESSION video clip

--------> http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=ermpCvBKJ4M <--------

^^




_ _ _ _ _ _

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9752/19pilgrimcenteraltar5aq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Wow, the lyric board is so hi-tech. :D

@ the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center for the 1st mass of the 9 Novenas held after the procession

_ _ _ _ _ _


is it the first time cebu held such a dawn procession for the santo nino? grabeha gud kadaghan sa tawo! it's no surprise why cebu has been blessed...

maski na daghan og tao, neat gihapon tan-awon.

Modified Megadome to rise
in February - Gov. Garcia


CONSTRUCTION of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), formerly known as the megadome, would start in February, but with some modifications, said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The governor said the CICC would now house a convention area below the multi-purpose arena.

She said architect Alex Medalla would still use the original "spinning disc" design that would make the CICC look like a coliseum. The lower floors, however, would be raised three meters higher to accommodate the convention area.

The governor said the convention area was specifically inserted into the design suit the needs of the delegates to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this December.

While the whole structure wouldn't be entirely usable by December, she said the convention area would be finished in time for the summit.

As for who would construct the building in time, Garcia said the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184) offers several options that would allow little bureaucracy in choosing a contractor.

"Republic Act 9184 would give us the capacity to fast track the choice of competent contractors that will start the substructure construction," Garcia said.

She said a competent bidding process would still be used.

The governor said she had also issued an executive order for the creation of a "Megadome Task Force."

The group, she said, would make sure that the CICC would be constructed in time for the ASEAN Summit.

The task force will be divided into legal and technical committees. The legal committee will "look into procedures by which we can fast track, first of all, the choice of the contractor that will do the substructure," Garcia said.

The governor did not say who would compose the task force, but would likely include the her infrastructure consultant Apollo Enriquez, architect Medalla, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, and the vice governor's infrastructure consultant Pedro Adonis Compentio.

All four met with the governor yesterday to discuss the CICC.

"We discussed the modifications on the design in order to focus on the convention center that needs to be completed by November of this year," Garcia said.

"Architect Medalla presented a concept that... would incorporate the convention center and the sports arena... which may be constructed at a later date," she said. "Our focus will be on the construction and completion of the convention center, which will be on the ground floor. We will finish the shell with the same design, the spinning disc."

She said they were aiming for a completion date of Nov. 6 for the convention area and the shell.

Garcia said she intends to present the CICC's situation to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ask the President on how to expedite the building's construction.

Funding for the construction of the convention area and outer shell would be done using the P250 million already allocated for the CICC.

For the rest of the building, the governor said they would have to look for a private investor.

"After something as historic as the 12th ASEAN Summit, I am very sure that this facility will be very, very attractive to private investors who might want to complete the entire structure. It will have the added historic value of being the facility that was the venue of the prestigious event," Garcia said.

is it held every morning until the 15th?

^^ What are you referring to? The procession or the morning mass?

If the procession, no. But the morning mass, yes. ;)

GUYS, I really didn't know until I found it on Google, that SINULOG has been one of the festivals of Macau already. FABULOUS! And they're doing it in honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu. Amazing! :)

Visit www.sinulogmacau.com for more info

^^ What are you referring to? The procession or the morning mass?

If the procession, no. But the morning mass, yes. ;)


so the procession will not be on a daily basis?

the procession for the sto nino is a spectacle in itself. it is a crowd drawer flooding streets with devotees.

GUYS, I really didn't know until I found it on Google, that SINULOG has been one of the festivals of Macau already. FABULOUS! And they're doing it in honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu. Amazing! :)

Visit www.sinulogmacau.com for more info

didn't the sinulog foundation push with the plan of having a patent for sinulog and only cebu's sinulog will be named as such?

so the procession will not be on a daily basis?

the procession for the sto nino is a spectacle in itself. it is a crowd drawer flooding streets with devotees.

Well, the opening procession (which was called "WALK WITH JESUS) was held this morning.
Another procession (to be called "WALK WITH JESUS AND MARY") will be held on January 13.
A fluvial procession will be held on the morning of January 14 and in the afternoon, the mother of all processions, the most SOLEMN PROCESSION, would be held along Cebu's biggest thoroughfares.

^^ Sorry for reposting the MEGADOME ARTICLE. ;)

CHI set to pour in P1 billion in Cebu

Ayala group affiliate Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) is investing another P1 billion in Cebu in the next three years, primarily to boost its mall operations, and residential development projects here.

A large chunk of this amount (P800 million) will be spent on the expansion of the Ayala Center Cebu (ACC).

Ayala Center Cebu's 100,000 square-meter floor area will be expanded to accommodate more retail concessionaires and introduce more Food and Beverage (F&B) outlets, including entertainment joints to the Cebuano market.
=
Starting January, CHI will be constructing a three-storey building for its mall expansion.

"We are still following our original plan, to expand the mall," Almendras said the building will be installed in the parking area, current utilized as parking lot for ACC and Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Another 77,000 square meters will be added to the mall's lease-able area 7,000 square meters of which for the lagoon side, Almendras said.

"We are still trying to think what more we can bring in to the Cebuano market," Almendras said.

Generally, the year 2005 has been a very good year for CHI, "our revenue streams become stronger. Almost every aspect of our business is growing in our 17 years of operations," he added.

In the last three years, ACC has undergone major renovations, which cost the company a several billions of pesos.

CHI's focus of expansion is on its mall operations and the opening of residential projects for Cebu.

In the next two years, the mall will undergo a facelift in terms of facilities, expanding of leisure and entertainment component, adding available spaces for boutiques offering international brands in apparel, shoes, and other lifestyle accessories.

"We will be introducing another new concept in shopping, dining, and lifestyle experience to the Cebuano market very soon. Something that is very new for Cebu," said Clavel G. Tongco, Ayala Center's division manager for commercial center division in a separate interview.

Currently, the mall's over 300 commercial spaces is 98 percent occupied, excluding the available spaces for stalls and cart concept businesses.

Bringing in more foreign brands to the Cebu market, is one of the growth opportunity of the mall, in which availability of boutiques offering signature brands from Asia, United States, and Europe could improve Ayala Center's magnetic charm to Cebuanos and visiting tourists.

Catering to the thrifty market "the Cebuanos, Tongco said one of Ayala Center's challenges is to push not only the premium consumers to fully enjoy the new way of shopping and dining experiences, but eventually to the mainstream market as well.

Ayala Center has continued to be the crown jewel and centerpiece of the spanning 60-hectare Cebu Business Park. For years, it has maintained its role as the major revenue generator and growth catalyst for the company.

HIGHLIGHTS:
*(100,000+77,000 = 177,000 square meters :eek: )
*3 storey expansion building
*to be constructed at the current South Parking and Marriott Parking (so where will Marriott guests park?)
*Lagoon to have new name
*Renovation and facelift of interiors
*Mall space for SIGNATURE BRANDS (Wow! A first for Cebu!)

Cebu Holdings Inc. 5-year-investments

For its commercial projects, CHI is putting huge investments in upgrading the facilities of the Ayala Center Cebu shopping mall, which is the company's major revenue contributor.

He mentioned that CHI may build more buildings in the 60-hectare Cebu Business Park (CBP) within five years. High-rise buildings may be built by the company to accommodate investments that are looking for prime office locations.

For its ICT-related projects, the company is banking on the strong demand for office spaces in its 25-hectare Cebu Asia Town I.T. Park, which is managed by CHI's subsidiary Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation (CPVDC).

For further residential development, CHI is now looking at the fertile middle-range market, after it successfully launched the upscale residential project called Amara located in Lilo-an northern part in Cebu.

is it the first time cebu held such a dawn procession for the santo nino? grabeha gud kadaghan sa tawo! it's no surprise why cebu has been blessed...

nop, more than 10 years already...
regarding me, it's my first time to see the procession in an elevated area/skywalk coz I used not to take pics and just walk along with the crowd every Sinulog procession but now SSC urged me to do it :D... thanks to SSC coz for the 1st time I saw and was also amazed of the crowd and the beautiful flow of the procession from above with those thousands of lighted candles that looks like a lava flowing under the skywalk nya init init pa jd tungod sa aso sa kandila...hehe... it's not just a religious solemn procession but it's also a tourist attraction...there are also a lot of Europeans than the Kimchis. This year, I'm not a devotee alone but a photographer aka maniniyot as well of the dawn procession...hehe


Wow, the lyric board is so hi-tech. :D

hmmm... that thing exists in the Basilica several years already... I smell something...:D

Ayala Center to offer more foreign brands


Ayala Center Cebu will be bringing in more foreign brands in the next few months, which is expected to improve the mall's magnetic charm to Cebuanos and visiting tourists, and to stress is name as the premium mall and lifestyle destination in town.



According to Clavel G. Tongco, Ayala Center's division manager for commercial center division, the entry of more boutiques offering signature brands from Asia, United States, and Europe is seen to be one of the mall's growth areas.



Although, she said that Ayala Center will also be bringing to Cebu other Filipino owned established brands in apparel, shoes, and bags.



Tongco said in the next years, Cebuanos will be treated by a more "refreshed" Ayala Center, as the facelift of the mall's design and zoning is still ongoing.



The establishments of few more lifestyle, shopping, and dining destinations in Cebu, although they come in smaller sizes in terms of structural layout and options, has activated the entire Ayala Center team to stay on top, and maintain its position "to be ahead with others."



Encouraged by Cebu's resilient economic setting, Ayala Center, a 100,000 square-meter floor area mall, with four levels and two-basement structural design, has continued to expand its facilities to suit the lifestyle of Cebuanos, as well as tourists.



In the next two years, the mall will undergo another phase of facelift in terms of facilities, expanding, of leisure and entertainment component, adding available spaces for boutiques offering international brands in apparel, shoes and other lifestyle accessories.



"W e will be introducing another new concept in shopping, dining, and lifestyle experience to the Cebuano market very soon. Something that is very new for Cebu," Tongco added.



Currently, the mall's over 300 commercial spaces is 98 percent occupied, excluding the available spaces for stalls and cart concept businesses.



Two years from now, the entire lagoon area, located at the back of the ACC will be transformed into an outdoor lifestyle destination, largely for entertainment and dining customers.



Developed by Ayala Group affiliate Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), Ayala Center is the company's bread-and-butter.



ACC's 2004 year-end results showed consolidated revenues of P333.4 million, 14 percent higher than the previous year's sales in building and land lease combined.



This represents 54 percent contribution to CHI's revenues.



This includes revenues from theater and car park operations, which achieved an increase of 16 percent and 20 percent respectively. Consolidated net operating income (NOI)after depreciation of P183 million is 20 percent higher than same period in 2003.


----
Just look at all these developments for Ayala Center. Ain't that great? :D

^^

Wow nice..! AYALA is finally rxpanding

^^ whats the target completion date ani bai?

late 2007 to early 2008 man siguro or it could be earlier.

So naa pa diay daghan time para mag save to buy whatever foreign signature brands they are bringing in. hehehe. lamatz.